"I'm SO PROUD" - Mother of Nigerian Super Bowl champion who went viral reacts in emotional video

In a heartwarming moment, Justina Emmanwori, the mother of Nigerian-American NFL star Nicholas Ovundah Eze Emmanwori, shared her overwhelming pride in an emotional video following her son's triumphant Super Bowl victory.

The 22-year-old safety, who plays for the Seattle Seahawks, became a Super Bowl champion in his rookie season after the team defeated the New England Patriots 31-24 in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday Feb. 8.

Emmanwori, drafted 35th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, has quickly risen to prominence, earning spots on the PFWA All-Rookie Team and contributing significantly as a versatile "chess piece" in the Seahawks' defence.

His journey from college standout at the University of South Carolina, where he was a First-team All-American and All-SEC honouree, to NFL glory.

The video, which surfaced on Instagram shortly after the game, shows Justina reflecting on the experience as she beamed with pride.

Justina Emmanwori spoke exclusively to TMZ Sports after her son won the Super Bowl on Sunday night. "I'm so proud," she declared with a smile on her face. "Before I said I don't know anything about [American] football... touchdown.. yayy! But now, it's big. I know what football is all about."

"I'm so proud. I'm a proud mama. To all members of the team; all of them, they are my babies. I'm so proud of them, they did good. It's a great game today."

When asked how she feels about her son Nick, earning high praise for his on-field brilliance, Justina admitted that his gifts come from her. "He [Nick] took everything from me. He took all the strength from me. I am strong. I might not know everything about [American] football before but now I know."

Emmanwori's mother's comments come after she admitted that the Super Bowl's magnitude initially escaped her. During her flight to the game, she was interviewed by ABC Columbia sports anchor Noah Chast, and her candid responses quickly went viral, amassing millions of views on X (formerly Twitter).

"Everybody keeps asking me, 'Do you know what you are going for?' I said, 'Super Bowl.' So, I'm like, OK, maybe this is something big that I don't know is big," Justina said, with her Nigerian accent adding a layer of authenticity that endeared her to fans.

Her humorous confusion sparked laughter and admiration, with many praising her grounded perspective.

Justina's s words underscore a mother's unwavering support, transcending cultural barriers as she has predicted a Super Bowl dream for Seattle Seahawks. “As long as my son is a Seahawk … is in Washington … Seahawks will never lose again …. Because Nicholas is there …. Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl," Emmanwori's mother told ABC sports reporter Noah Chast back in January.

His father, Legun Emmanwori, moved from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to the U.S. to pursue engineering, eventually becoming a professor, a journey of academic and professional sacrifice that shaped Nick’s own discipline.

The youngest of the five Emanwori brothers was about to commit to play football at the University of South Carolina, the only Power Five school that had recruited him.

This family narrative has elevated him beyond the field, making him a symbol of immigrant resilience in sports.