With some players displaying their Nigerian ancestry, the Seattle Seahawks easily defeated the New England Patriots 29–13 on Sunday to win their second Lombardi Trophy.
With a calm performance on the grandest stage, quarterback Sam Darnold completed his incredible turnaround tale by passing for a score and almost 200 yards to win the game.
Beyond the final score, the game held particular meaning for Nigerians and those of Nigerian heritage, who were heavily represented among the NFL’s top players.
The Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory is powered by Nigerian roots.
A significant number of Nigerian-heritage players were on Seattle’s roster, and they were instrumental in the team’s push for the championship.
Nwosu Uchenna (Linebacker)
The Seahawks’ defense was anchored by veteran linebacker Uchenna Nwosu. Nwosu, who was born to Nigerian parents in Carson, California, has always celebrated his roots. He finished the 2025 season with 107 tackles and seven sacks, for a career total of 34.5 sacks.
He once emphasized the principles that have guided his path by saying, “Being Nigerian is about hard work; it’s in our DNA.”
The linebacker Boye Mafe
Born in Minnesota to Nigerian immigrants, Boye Mafe has solidified his status as one of Seattle’s most potent defenders. He owns the Seahawks franchise record for the most consecutive games with a sack, and in 2025 he added five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Safety’s Nick Emmanwori
After being selected in the 2025 draft, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori immediately made an impression. Growing up in a Nigerian-American family in South Carolina, he immediately established himself as a versatile defensive star after recording 81 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and an interception in his rookie campaign.
Oluwatimi offered leadership and steadiness on the offensive line. Drafted in 2023, he played a crucial part in line calls and quarterback protection, allowing zero sacks in his 2025 season starts.
Njigba Jaxon Smith (Wide Receiver)
Smith-Njigba, whose ancestry includes Sierra Leone and Nigeria, was one of the NFL’s breakout stars. In 2025, he led the league with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, winning Offensive Player of the Year. His hands and route-running skills have made him a key player in Seattle’s offense.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe
With 157 yards and two touchdowns on the ground this season, backup quarterback Jalen Oluwaseun Isaiah Milroe—the son of a Nigerian-heritage mother—brought a dynamic rushing element to some sets.
Nigerian Patriots’ Presence
The New England Patriots, who were led by one of the league’s most formidable offensive linemen, Michael Onwenu, also had Nigerian ancestry on their roster. Strongly connected to Nigeria, the Detroit native started all 17 games in 2025 and led a Patriots line that set a franchise-high rushing average.
