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Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday began with an apology and ended with more controversial remarks.
In between, he had a 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 the NFL referees handled the game.
Nacua has previously suggested that the game’s officials shared similarities with lawyers. The remarks came after the third-year wideout claimed that some referees throw 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 win propelled Seattle into first place in the NFC standings, Nacua took a veiled shot at the game officials.
“Can you say I was wrong. Appreciate your stripes for your contribution. 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 GET ON TV: ‘THE WORST’
“It was just a lack of awareness and just some frustration,” Nacua said. “I know there were moments where I was like, ‘Man, you watch the other games and you think about the calls that some guys get and you wish you could get some of them.’ But that’s just the way football has played and I’ll do my job to work on my technique to make sure there’s not a problem with the call.”
But this time Nacua’s criticism resulted in a large fine. The league issued a fine of $25,000, according to the NFL Network.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs with the ball in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Nacua had expressed aggravation on social media days after the 24-year-old claimed during a live stream performance with internet personalities Adin Ross and N3on that “the 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 told ESPN. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ It wasn’t PI, but I called it.”
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) scores a touchdown in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
On Thursday, reporters asked Nacua if he wanted to clarify his position on the proposal that referees actively seek to be in front of cameras during matches.
“No, I don’t,” he replied.
Also on Thursday, Nacua apologized for making a gesture that plays on anti-Semitic tropes.
“I had no idea this act was anti-Semitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jews,” the recipient said in an Instagram post. “I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hatred towards another group of people.”
Rams coach Sean McVay dismissed the idea that all the off-court talk surrounding Nacua was a distraction leading up to Los Angeles’ clash with its NFC West division rival.
“It wasn’t a distraction at all,” McVay said. “Do you think his play showed he was distracted? I didn’t think so either. He went off today.”
