NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday began with an apology and ended with more controversial comments.
In between, he had the best performance of his career.
After catching 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua once again expressed frustration with the way NFL referees handled the game.
Nacua previously suggested that game officials shared similarities with lawyers. The comments came after the third-year catcher claimed that some referees throw flags during games to increase camera time.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua warms up before a game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
After the Seahawks’ 38-37 victory propelled Seattle to first place in the NFC standings, Nacua took a veiled shot at the game officials.
“Can you say I was wrong? I appreciate your contribution. Hahaha,” he wrote on X.
The Pro Bowl player added that his statement about X was made in “a moment of frustration after a tough, intense game like that.”
RAMS STAR PUKA NACUA ACCUSES REFS OF INVENTING CALLS TO BE ON TV: ‘THE WORST’
“It was just a lack of awareness and some frustration,” Nacua said. “I know there were times where I felt like, ‘Man, you look at the other games and you think about the calls some guys get and you wish you could take some of those.’ But that’s just the way football has been and I’m going to do my job to improve my technique and make sure there’s no problem with the call.”
But, this time, Nacua’s criticism resulted in a large fine. The league issued a $25,000 fine, according to NFL Network.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs with the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Nacua had expressed his irritation on social media just days after the 24-year-old claimed during a live appearance with internet personalities Adin Ross and N3on that “referees are the worst.”
“Some of the rules are not…these guys want to be…these guys are lawyers. They also want to be on TV,” Nacua said, according to ESPN. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Hey, you guys just saw me on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ That wasn’t PI, but I called him.”
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
On Thursday, Nacua was asked by reporters if he wanted to clarify his stance on the suggestion that referees actively seek to be in front of cameras during games.
“No, I don’t know,” he replied.
Also on Thursday, Nacua apologized for making a gesture that plays into anti-Semitic tropes.
“I had no idea that this act was anti-Semitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against the Jewish people,” the recipient said in an Instagram post. “I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions, as I do not advocate any form of racism, intolerance or hatred towards another group of people.”
Rams coach Sean McVay dismissed the idea that all the off-field talk surrounding Nacua was a distraction ahead of Los Angeles’ clash with its NFC West division rival.
“It wasn’t a distraction at all,” McVay said. “Did you think his play showed he was distracted? I don’t think so either. He’s gone today.”
