https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/ref-who-protected-jaxon-smith-njigba-from-texans-turns-out-to-be-former-nfl-defensive-back-nate-jones-151203866.html
Tensions nearly reached a boiling point during the Seattle Seahawks’ 27-19 win over the the Houston Texans in Week 7. But one smart official put his body on the line to make sure the situation didn’t escalate.
That interaction — and image it produced — gained a ton of attention Monday night and Tuesday morning. What people didn’t realize initially was the identity of the ref who stopped both teams from going at it.
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The play that led to that moment came in the fourth quarter. Following an interception, Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba tried to make a tackle on Texans cornerback Derek Stingley. As Smith-Njigba went to make the play, Stingley stiff-armed the Seahawks receiver, knocking his helmet off.
The two wound up out of bounds, and Smith-Njigba gave Stingley a little shove as the play ended. Stingley didn’t react to the shove and the play appeared to be over until Texans linebacker Christian Harris shoved Smith-Njigba onto a bench on the sideline.
With a handful of Texans in the vicinity, a helmet-less Smith-Njigba could have been in major trouble had the team instigated a fight. But that’s when official Nate Jones stepped in to protect Smith-Njigba.
Replays captured Jones throwing players aside to reach Smith-Njigba on the bench. Once there, Jones physically shielded Smith-Njigba so no one could touch the wideout.
Jones’ name was mentioned on the broadcast.
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What some fans didn’t realize until later is that Jones is a former NFL player. He was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft and went on to have an eight-year career in the NFL.
After spending his first four seasons in Dallas, Jones saw time with the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos over his final four years.
Jones, a defensive back, notched three interceptions over his career, one of which came against New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees.
Once his playing career ended after the 2011 NFL season, Jones got into officiating. He eventually worked his way back to the NFL, this time as an official, in 2019.
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When he wasn’t trying to make tackles, Smith-Njigba was tearing up the Texans on Monday. The 23-year-old finished the contest with 123 yards and a touchdown. It was the third straight game in which he gained at least 100 receiving yards and scored.
While Smith-Njigba was already deep into that performance when the the near-brawl occurred, Jones’ actions ensured the wideout stayed on the field to see the rest of the game through.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/ref-who-protected-jaxon-smith-njigba-from-texans-turns-out-to-be-former-nfl-defensive-back-nate-jones-151203866.html
