Rams WR fined $25,000 for public comments critical of refs

AI-assisted summary
• The NFL fined Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua $25,000 for publicly criticizing game officials.
• Nacua also apologized for performing a dance on a live stream that he later learned was antisemitic.
• Following the Rams’ overtime loss to the Seahawks, Nacua posted and then deleted another social media message critical of the referees.
• Despite the controversies, Nacua had a standout performance with 225 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The NFL fined Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua $25,000 for “the public criticism of game officials,” a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the matter publicly. 

NFL Media first reported the news. 

Nacua spent the entire lead-up to the Rams’ “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the Seattle Seahawks – which turned into an instant classic that ended with Seattle winning in overtime, 38-37 – in the headlines.

He first criticized NFL officiating during a live stream with popular streaming stars Adin Ross and N3on. During that live stream, he also performed a dance that has been construed as antisemitic and appeared to agree to repeat the dance if he scored a touchdown during his next game. 

Hours before facing the Seahawks, Nacua posted an apology on Instagram. 

“When I appeared the other day on a social media live stream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration,” Nacua wrote. “At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people. I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”

The NFL later issued a statement on Dec. 19. 

“The NFL strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed toward any group or individual,” the league said. “The continuing rise of antisemitism must be addressed across the world, and the NFL will continue to stand with our partners in this fight. Hatred has no place in our sport or society.”

Nacua went off for 225 receiving yards on 12 catches. He brutalized the Seahawks’ secondary after the catch and scored two touchdowns, the second putting his team up a score in overtime. 

After the game, Nacua once again put himself in hot water by posting and then deleting another post critical of game officials.

‘Just a moment of frustration,’ Nacua told reporters. ‘Just the opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of. Some of the moments that we put in the officials’ hands just felt like we could have executed to not put ourselves in those situations.’

Nacua now trails Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba by 45 yards for the most receiving yards in the league, with Smith-Njigba at 1,637 yards. 

Players and coaches have received more severe fines in recent seasons for the same transgression. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was hit with a $100,000 fine in December 2023, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fined $50,000.