Puka Nacua rips refs, again, 2 minutes after Rams' OT loss to Seahawks: 'Can you say I was wrong'
Puka Nacua's bizarre week ended with him mad online, after the NFL's game of the year.
Roughly two minutes after the Seattle Seahawks completed their comeback win over Nacua's Los Angeles Rams to take control of the NFC West, the star wide receiver fired off a tweet complaining about the game's officiating. The post was deleted minutes later.
"Can you say i was wrong. Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol" Nacua wrote.
Nacua posted it immediately after a career game against the Seahawks, with 12 catches, 225 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets, continuing an All-Pro level season for the third-year player. He later spoke with reporters and described it as a heated moment for himself:
It was just a lack of awareness. Just frustration."
Rams head coach Sean McVay was also unaware of the tweet when speaking with reporters, declining to directly address the tweet but defending Nacua as "a great kid that's continuing to learn about the platform he has."
Obviously, that tweet refers to the officials and Nacua's own past comments, which were part of a week that could be charitably described as eventful for the 24-year-old. During a livestream appearance on Tuesday, Nacua laid into the refs in a way virtually guaranteed to earn him a fine from the NFL:
"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.'"
This tweet won't help matters.
Overall, here's how the past couple weeks have played out for Nacua:
Dec. 7: Nacua gets caught livestreaming from a postgame locker room and is admonished by his teammates.
Dec. 13-14: Nacua's brother Samson is arrested for allegedly taking the car of a Los Angeles Lakers rookie without his consent.
Dec. 16, part 1: Nacua tries to get two streamers into the Rams' practice facility and is admonished by "the boss man." Sean McVay denied he was said boss man on Thursday.
Dec. 17: Nacua's touchdown dance idea gains traction and criticism.
Dec. 18, part 1: Nacua apologizes for the antisemitic touchdown dance.
Dec. 18, part 2: Nacua sets a career high in receiving yards.
Dec. 18, part 3: Nacua posts then deletes the tweet.
It's not what you would call an ideal run from a player who will likely be seeking a long-term and high-priced contract extension from the Rams this offseason. However, his contributions Thursday also demonstrated how much the franchise needs him on the field.