Puka Nacua‘s rise with the Los Angeles Rams was once defined almost entirely by production, toughness and quiet dominance, but in recent months the All-Pro wide receiver has found himself at the centre of controversy as much as highlight reels.
For much of the early portion of his career, Nacua was viewed as a relentless competitor who let his play do the talking. That perception began to shift around November 2025, when a series of off-field incidents transformed him from widely admired breakout star into one of the more polarising figures in the league.
The accumulation of viral moments has been significant enough that some observers have even drawn comparisons to Antonio Brown, a name that underscores how quickly narratives can change in the NFL.
The most serious flashpoint arrived in December during a livestream appearance with influencer Adin Ross. During the broadcast, Nacua made a gesture that many viewers online labelled antisemitic. The clip spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing criticism and debate.
Nacua later addressed the incident, apologising and stating that he did not understand the meaning behind the gesture at the time. Despite the apology, the moment lingered in the public conversation and marked the first major reputational challenge of his young career.
Shortly after that episode, Nacua found himself in trouble with the league. Following a loss, he posted criticism of NFL officiating on social media, comments he later deleted. The league responded with a fine of roughly $25,000 for publicly criticising referees, reinforcing how closely players’ online activity is monitored.
Viral moments extend beyond football
The controversy did not stop there. As the calendar turned to 2026, Nacua continued to generate headlines away from the field. He went viral after publicly shooting his shot at actress Sydney Sweeney, a light-hearted moment that nevertheless fuelled online chatter. During Super Bowl week, he also tweeted about Sam Darnold, inserting himself into the broader conversation surrounding the championship matchup.
Clips from Super Bowl weekend later circulated that appeared to show Nacua clearly intoxicated, adding another layer to the evolving narrative.
While none of these moments individually carried the weight of the December livestream incident, together they contributed to the sense that Nacua had become far more outspoken and visible off the field than he had been earlier in his career.
He has also embraced a more candid public persona during podcast appearances, including spots on The Pat McAfee Show, where his unfiltered style has drawn both praise and criticism.