LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Rams Pro Bowl wide receiver Puka Nacua has an issue with NFL officiating.
“The refs are the worst,” Nacua said on a livestream with Adin Ross and N3on. “These guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV, too. You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you just saw me on “Sunday Night Football?” That wasn’t PI (pass interference), but I called it.’”
NFL players can be subject to fines for criticizing the league’s officiating.
With Ross’ encouragement, Nacua also worked on a touchdown dance in the stream in which he spins the ball, flexes and then rubs his hands. The rubbing of the hands has become a signature move of Ross’ that he acknowledges is referencing a stereotype about Jewish people. It is not clear from the clips circulating online if Nacua was aware of that.
Ross himself is Jewish but has faced criticism for platforming Nick Fuentes and an anonymous Neo-Nazi, among other controversial figures.
Nacua did not immediately return messages left with the Rams. His agent, Justin Schulman of Athletes First, responded with, “No comment needed.”
Ross and N3on attempted to enter the Rams’ facility Tuesday to stream with Nacua but were denied entry.
“I thought my team communicated. I guess there was no communication,” Nacua told the pair via phone on the livestream. “Especially then, when Coach found out, he didn’t (expletive) with that. Just because of the short week. Let me handle business on Thursday, then we should be good.”
Tuesday’s practice was more important than usual for the Rams, as it’s their only one this week in preparation for a game in Seattle that could define much of their season.
The Rams and Seahawks are 11-3 and tied atop the NFC West. With a win, the Rams would have a 90 percent chance of taking the NFC’s top seed, according to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, whereas a loss would drop those odds to 20 percent.
Nacua will have a heavy load to lift, with fellow star receiver Davante Adams battling a hamstring injury that has his status in doubt. Without Adams, the Rams could be down to Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington and young receivers such as Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield to handle the expected rain and raucous crowd at Lumen Field.
Nacua is having another elite season, ranking second in the league in catches (102) and receiving yards (1,367). Los Angeles will likely need the best version of him to handle a Seahawks defense that leads the league in passing yards per attempt allowed and ranks in the top 10 of most other major statistical categories.