Puka Nacua’s comments about NFL officiating came at a cost — and not just the distraction the controversy caused for the Rams ahead of their overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The NFL has fined the Rams receiver $25,000 over his public statements about NFL officiating, the league confirmed Friday.
Nacua caught 12 passes for a career-best 225 yards and two touchdowns against the Seahawks.
During a live stream on Tuesday, with YouTubers N3on and Adin Ross, Nacua said: “The referees are the worst.”
Nakoa didn’t stop there.
“These guys are lawyers, and they really want to be on TV too, bro,” Nakoa said. “Don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Hey guys, you just saw me on ‘Sunday Night Football.'” Like, it wasn’t [pass interference]But I called him.”
After the loss to the Seahawks, Nacua seemed to double down.
“Can you tell I was wrong,” he wrote on X. “Appreciate your lines for your contribution. lol.”
The post was quickly deleted.
“It’s just a moment of frustration after a tough and tense game like this, just thinking about the chances I could have done better to take it out of their hands,” Nakoa told reporters in the dressing room. “Just a moment of frustration.”
Coach Sean McVay said during his post-match press conference that he did not see Nacua involved in the X.
Regarding Nakoa’s criticism of officials during the live broadcast, McVeigh said: “Yes, we don’t want to do that.”
It’s been a turbulent week for Nakoa, who apologized Thursday for making an anti-Semitic gesture during the same livestream, saying he didn’t know the gesture was considered offensive.
In addition to Nacua’s fine, the NFL suspended Seahawks linebacker Derek Hall one game for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct for stepping on the leg of Rams right guard Kevin Dotson in the first quarter on Thursday.
Dotson sprained his ankle and did not return after being carried from the sideline to the locker room. McVay told reporters on Friday that Dotson’s participation in the Rams’ upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 29 is questionable.
Additionally, McVay said Davante Adams likely won’t play against the Falcons after the wide receiver missed against the Seahawks with a hamstring injury.
Staff writer Sam Farmer contributed to this report.