Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua issued an apology on Thursday after making an antisemitic gesture during a recent livestream with Adin Ross and Mikyle Rafiq, also known as N3on, two internet personalities.
"When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration. At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people," Nacua said in an Instagram post. "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."
On the livestream, Ross, who is Jewish, suggested that Nacua perform a touchdown celebration in which he rubs his hands together, a gesture used as an antisemitic stereotype to portray Jewish people as greedy. Nacua then performed the celebration multiple times.
Asked by Ross if he would perform the celebration in a game, Nacua said he would.
"I promise," Nacua told Ross. "I got you, man."
"The NFL strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed towards any group or individual," the league said in a statement. "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."
The Rams WR's actions have received backlash, including from U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, who represents California's 14th district.
"The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre. And what does this a------ @AsapPuka do? He promises an antisemitic touchdown dance for his Thursday night game," Swalwell, who is running for California governor, said Wednesday on social media. "He should apologize or be dropped."
Nacua also criticized NFL referees during the livestream.
"The refs are the worst," Nacua said. "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.'"
NFL players can be subject to fines for publicly criticizing referees and officials.
Nacua is expected to further address his comments after the Rams (11-3) take on the Seahawks (11-3) in Seattle on Thursday night, NFL Network's Steve Wyche reported.
Nacua is in his third season with the Rams. A 2023 fifth-round pick out of BYU, the receiver leads Los Angeles with 102 receptions and 1,367 receiving yards through Week 15. Nacua's six TD receptions are tied for second on the team behind Davante Adams. Nacua is second in the league in receptions and receiving yards.
The 24-year-old is eligible for a contract extension following the 2025 season. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported last Sunday that extending Nacua and making him one of the NFL's highest-paid WRs is a "big-time priority" for the Rams.
