Rams’ Puka Nacua reportedly hit with hefty high-quality after renewed referee criticism

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Los Angeles Rams star vast receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday started with an apology and ended with extra controversial remarks.

In between, he had a career-best efficiency.

After catching 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's extra time loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua as soon as again expressed his frustration with how NFL referees dealt with the sport.

Nacua beforehand prompt recreation officers shared similarities to attorneys. The remarks got here after the third-year wideout claimed some referees throw flags throughout video games to ramp up their digicam time.

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Los Angeles Rams vast receiver Puka Nacua warms up earlier than a recreation towards the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Photographs)

After the Seahawks 38-37 win propelled Seattle to the highest spot within the NFC standings, Nacua took a veiled shot on the recreation's officers.

"Are you able to say i used to be mistaken. Admire you stripes on your contribution. Lol," he wrote on X.

The Professional Bowler added that his assertion on X was made in "a second of frustration after a tricky, intense recreation like that."

RAMS STAR PUKA NACUA ACCUSES REFS OF MAKING UP CALLS TO GET ON TV: 'THE WORST'

"It was only a ignorance and just a few frustration," Nacua said. "I do know there have been moments the place I really feel like, ‘Man, you watch the opposite video games and also you consider the calls that some guys get and you want you could possibly get a few of these.’ However that is simply how soccer has performed, and I will do my job with a view to work my approach to make it possible for there's not a difficulty with the decision."

However, this time, Nacua's criticism resulted in a hefty high-quality. The league issued a $25,000 penalty, in keeping with NFL Community.

Los Angeles Rams vast receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs with the ball through the second half towards the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photograph/John Froschauer)

Nacua had expressed aggravation on social media simply days after the 24-year-old asserted throughout a livestream look with web personalities Adin Ross and N3on that "the refs are the worst."

"A number of the guidelines aren't ... these guys wish to be ... these guys are attorneys. They wish to be on TV too," Nacua mentioned, per ESPN. "You do not suppose he is texting his associates within the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys simply noticed me on "Sunday Night time Soccer." That wasn't P.I., however I known as it.'"

Los Angeles Rams vast receiver Puka Nacua (12) scores a landing through the second half towards the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photograph/John Froschauer)

On Thursday, reporters requested Nacua if he needed to make clear his stance on the suggestion referees actively search being in entrance of cameras throughout video games.

"No, I do not," he replied.

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Additionally on Thursday, Nacua apologized for performing a gesture that performs upon antisemitic tropes.

"I had no thought this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated dangerous stereotypes towards Jewish individuals," the receiver mentioned in an Instagram publish. "I deeply apologize to anybody who was offended by my actions as I don't stand for any type of racism, bigotry or hate of one other group of individuals."

Rams coach Sean McVay dismissed the concept that all of the off-field chatter surrounding Nacua was a distraction main as much as Los Angeles' conflict with its NFC West division rival.

"It wasn’t a distraction in any respect," McVay mentioned. "Did you suppose his play confirmed he was distracted? I didn’t suppose so both. He went off at the moment."