NFL Star Puka Nacua Calls Out Refs Before Big TNF Game
The NFL's regular season is winding down, and two of the best teams in the league are still battling for a division title. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks have been among the class of the NFC all season long, but they enter their game on Thursday night with the exact same 11-3 record.
With only three games left in the campaign, it's likely that Thursday night's game could help decide who wins the NFC West crown - and who earns the NFC's top overall seed in the playoffs.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua appears to be on his way to another Pro Bowl-caliber season, but his recent comments about officials may have some unintended consequences prior to Thursday's game.
Nacua's Controversial Comments on Officials
During an appearance on a livestream, Nacua commented on officials and his belief on why they choose to make certain calls.
"The refs are the worst," Nacua told streamers Adin Ross and N3on.
"Some of the rules aren't ... These guys want to be ... 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 guys just saw me on "Sunday Night Football." That wasn't P.I., but I called it.'"
Nacua was asked if officials make calls for penalties when they don't happen, and replied with "I mean, these guys are normal human beings too, bro."
The NFL routinely fines players and coaches who make critical comments about officials, with Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes serving as notable recent examples.
Reid and Mahomes were fined $100,000 and $50,000 respectively for comments after a controversial loss to the Buffalo Bills in 2023.
Dak Prescott, Myles Garrett and Will Anderson are among other notable players to receive fines for critical comments about referees. Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon had a $25,000 fine rescinded last season after comments about officials were incorrectly attributed to him after a game.
Nacua's Return to Form in 2025
Nacua made his NFL debut in 2023 after being selected in the fifth round of that year's draft by the Rams. He went on to make the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro team as a rookie, setting new rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486).
Injuries limited Nacua to just 11 games in 2024, but he remained productive. The former BYU receiver finished his second season with 79 receptions and 990 yards. This season, Nacua has been one of the best receivers in football.
He enters Thursday's game ranked second in the NFL in receptions and receiving yards, and has nearly surpassed his output from his excellent rookie season.