An NFL referee perfectly deescalated a tense situation, and helped protect one of the NFL's rising stars in the process, during the Seahawks' 27-19 win over the Texans on Monday night. With 8:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was intercepted by Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who was pursued by Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As Smith-Njigba attempted to tackle Stingley, the Texans corner stiff-armed the Seahawks receiver, who then proceeded to push Stingley out of bounds towards the Houston bench.
Then, Smith-Njigba, helmet-less, found himself surrounded by angry Texans on the opposing team's sideline. He was shoved backwards onto the Texans bench, where he sat, as multiple Houston players approached him with bad intentions.
