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Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday started with an apology and ended with more controversial remarks.
Between the two, he delivered his career-best performance.
After catching 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua once again expressed his frustration with how NFL referees handled the game.
Nacua previously suggested that game officials share similarities with lawyers. The remarks came after the third-year player claimed some referees were throwing flags during games to increase their camera time.
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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 vaulted Seattle into first place in the NFC standings, Nacua took a veiled shot at the game officials.
“Can you say I was wrong. Thanks for your input. Lol,” he wrote on X.
The Pro Bowler 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 MAKING 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 was like, ‘Man, you watch the other games and you think about the calls that some guys are getting and you wish you could get some of those.’ But that’s how the football was played, and I’m going to do my job to work on my technique to make sure there’s no problem with the call.”
But this time, Nacua’s criticism resulted in a hefty fine. The league assessed a $25,000 penalty, 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 annoyance 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 rules are not…these guys want to be…these guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too,” Nacua said, according to ESPN. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you just saw me on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ It 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)
Nacua was asked by reporters on Thursday if he wanted to clarify his position on the suggestion that referees actively seek to be in front of the cameras during matches.
“No, I don’t,” he replied.
Also Thursday, Nacua apologized for an action that played into anti-Semitic tropes.
“I had no idea that this act was anti-Semitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against 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 any other group of people.”
Rams coach Sean McVay dismissed the notion that all the off-field chatter around Nacua was a distraction leading up to Los Angeles’ showdown with its NFC West division rival.
“It wasn’t a distraction at all,” McVay said. “Did you think his acting showed he was distracted? I didn’t think so either. He left today.”
