NFL fans were left stunned after controversial comedian Druski said the N-word during NBC’s live broadcast of the 2026 Honors ceremony.
On Thursday night, football’s biggest names – from coaches and players to former stars and team chiefs – gathered in San Francisco for the glitzy awards show.
Though the season’s biggest awards were being handed out on the night, fans couldn’t help but discuss a shocking moment involving the social media personality.
Druski was called upon to deliver the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the ceremony.
However, as he read out the card, the comedian mispronounced Smith-Njigba’s name and said the N-word instead, sparking major backlash on social media.
NFL legend Barry Sanders was stood alongside the social media personality and appeared to grimace as Druski mispronounced the name.
Comedian Druski, right, has come under fire for saying the N-word during NBC’s live broadcast of the 2026 NFL Honors awards ceremony on Thursday night
Druski mispronounced the name of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The moment quickly went viral as fans weighed in on the moment and debated as to whether the comedian intended to mispronounce the wide receiver’s name.
‘This is so embarrassing… ruined his moment nfl should be ashamed,’ one said on X.
Another said: ‘Poor form from @druski. Whether you meant to or not, you took shine away from @jaxon_smith1’s moment. Not cool’.
‘Damn…. Trying real hard to be funny. S*** was corny and embarrassing,’ one wrote.
‘Druski gotta understand there’s a time and place for bs. JSN just won that award and he disrespected his name,’ another disgruntled viewer said online.
‘This Druski is a f***ing idiot, get rid of him @NFL,’ another wrote.
‘Watched JSN put his blood, sweat, and tears into a historic season just for Druski to announce his award,’ one said.
The controversial moment comes five months after Druski had himself made up in full whiteface for an online skit in which he parodied Middle American NASCAR fans.
He was totally unrecognizable as he vanished into the role, with not only a mullet, beard and overalls, but also a fake sunburn and tan lines.
The 30-year-old comic, whose real name is Andrew Desbordes, was filmed walking around NASCAR’s Southern 500 race in South Carolina, mingling jovially with cheerful white attendees and putting on a caricatured southern accent.
Nobody he spoke to appeared to have any idea that he had assumed a false identity as he cheered the drivers, drank with partygoers and even had a grey-haired lady sit on his lap while he put a cigarette in her mouth.
