{"id":359170,"date":"2025-12-19T22:26:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T22:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/359170\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T22:26:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T22:26:11","slug":"nfl-hands-down-punishment-on-puka-nacuas-referee-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/359170\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Hands Down Punishment on Puka Nacua&#8217;s Referee Comments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6r\">WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. As expected, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been fined after making multiple public criticisms of the NFL&#8217;s referees throughout the week.<\/p>\n<p>Nacua&#8217;s Fine<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"71\">According to NFL Insider <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MikeGarafolo\/status\/2002101522302448007?s=20\" rel=\"nofollow\">Mike Garafolo,<\/a> the  NFL has fined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/rams\/onsi\/puka-nacua-release-statements-stream-controversy-\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nacua<\/a> $25,000 for his comments about officiating.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kcw5y2b2p5p41wn6ma.jpg\" alt=\"Puka Nacua \" title=\"Puka Nacua \" width=\"4526\" height=\"2545\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7a\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after defeating the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7e\">Nacua made two comments this week about the refs. On a livestream with Adin Ross and N3ON.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7h\">\u201cThe refs are the worst,\u201d Nacua said with Ross and N3)N. \u201c&#8230; Some of the rules aren&#8217;t &#8230; These guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too. You don&#8217;t think he&#8217;s texting his friends in the group chat like, &#8216;Yo, you guys just saw me on\u00a0Sunday Night Football.\u00a0That wasn&#8217;t PI, but I called it.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7k\">After the game, Nacua sent out a now deleted tweet doubling down on his statement.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7n\">\u201cCan you say i was wrong,\u201d Nacua wrote. \u201cAppreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nacua&#8217;s Comments on Recent Controversy<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7x\">After the game and the tweet, Nacua spoke to reporters on his statement.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"80\">\u201cJust a moment of frustration after a tough and intense game like that, just thinking of the opportunities I could have done better, take it out of [the refs&#8217;] hands,&#8221; added Nacua.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kcw5z31d1mx7hrqg1a.jpg\" alt=\"Puka Nacua \" title=\"Puka Nacua \" width=\"3321\" height=\"1868\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"89\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs after a catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8d\">Nacua was also asked about his words on the livestream and if he believes referees are making up calls to get television time.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8g\">\u201cNo, I don&#8217;t,\u201d stated Nacua. \u201cIt was just a lack of awareness and just in some frustration. I know there were moments where I feel like, man, you watch the other games and you think of the calls that some guys get and you wish you could get some of those, but that&#8217;s just how football has played, and I&#8217;ll do my job in order to work my technique to make sure that there&#8217;s not an issue with the call.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kcw619ccf2m1885pdj.jpg\" alt=\"Puka Nacua \" title=\"Puka Nacua \" width=\"2009\" height=\"1130\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"8p\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after a play during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8t\">In his apology, Nacua added comments regarding the support from the team and his conversations with Rams head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/rams\/onsi\/los-angeles-sean-mcvay-sent-clear-message\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sean McVay<\/a> over the various incidences.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8w\">\u201cCoach has just echoed that he&#8217;s always in continuous support of me, he&#8217;s disappointed in some of the actions that I&#8217;ve just distracted my teammates in,\u201d stated Nacua. \u201cI know I&#8217;ll learn from it. I don&#8217;t want to be a distraction in any week, especially on a short week. So we talked about that, and he&#8217;s right there behind me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kcw640wa2513rkn7ek.jpg\" alt=\"Sean McVay \" title=\"Sean McVay \" width=\"3860\" height=\"2171\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"95\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"99\">\u201cThere is a time and place for some things, and there are comments that I should definitely say to the guys in the locker room and to be aware of the situation that we&#8217;re in. But then also just to stay and use every moment to prepare for the week,\u201d continued Nacua.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9c\">When asked if he was a distraction, McVay stated it wasn&#8217;t and that the proof is in his play. Nacua put up 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead in overtime.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9f\">Don&#8217;t miss one major story related to your beloved Rams when you sign up for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes straight to your email with the latest news. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/rams\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">SIGN UP HERE NOW.<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9i\">Ensure you follow on X (Twitter)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ramsinsideronsi?s=21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">@RamsInsideronSI<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BrockVierra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">@BrockVierra<\/a>. Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61566999038635\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. As expected, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been fined after making multiple&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":359171,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-359170","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-nfl","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=359170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/359171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=359170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=359170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=359170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}