Seattle will have another Smith-Njigba that now baseball fans can root for this upcoming season.
Canaan Smith-Njigba, the older brother of Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners organization Wednesday afternoon. Canaan is an outfielder and spent part of the last two seasons between the Triple-A affiliate, Indianapolis Indians and then was called up to make his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
As you can imagine the announcement of his brother joining the Mariners organization was great news for Jaxon and his family.
Jaxon says that Canaan texted their family group chat with a text that simply said "Y'all are about to flip out." After that very vague text message Jaxon says the whole family jumped on a group call where Canaan shared the news, and everyone was "going crazy."
"It's going to be a dream come true," Jaxon said. "We wanted to play in the same city, bring our light to the city and do amazing things on and off the field. Just being together, we always thought that was the best thing, we didn't know it was going to happen so quickly. It's just awesome how God works."
And this won't be Canaan's first time in Seattle, the two brothers are close, and Jaxon says after the baseball season, he has been in Seattle spending time with him, training and getting ready for the upcoming season. Canaan has also supported his young brother at some Seahawks games this past season. Jaxon will get a chance to now support his brother too.
"I just love watching him play," Jaxon said. "It's one of my favorite things in the world to do. I haven't gotten the chance to really watch him because he's always so far and now that he's right down the street, it's just perfect."
Take a look at photos of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during his three years at Ohio State. Smith-Njigba was selected by the Seahawks with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Rutgers during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Rutgers linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, right, tackles Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 49-27. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Indiana during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Bettcher)
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Akron during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Akron during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs for yardage against Rutgers during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
FILE - Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Oct. 30, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. A Buckeyes attack that led the nation with 561 yards and nearly 46 points per game returns quarterback C.J. Stroud, leading receiver Smith-Njigba, 1,200-yard rusher TreVeyon Henderson and an experienced offensive line anchored by 6-foot-8, 360-pound right tackle Dawand Jones. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a pass against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba celebrates his touchdown against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs next to Utah cornerback Malone Mataele (15) during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Smith-Njigba was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs next to Utah cornerback Malone Mataele (15) during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Smith-Njigba was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs past Utah cornerback Kenzel Lawler (2) during the second half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a touchdown in front of Utah cornerback Malone Mataele (15) during the second half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates his touchdown catch with offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) during the second half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah on Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Smith-Njigba, the starting slot receiver for the Buckeyes as a sophomore last year, stepped out of the shadow of the more established receivers to pace the Buckeyes with 95 catches and 1,606 yards. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays in an NCAA college spring football game Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
