Sean McVay Responds to Puka Nacua’s Criticism of Referees After Rams’ Loss
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has recently made headlines for the wrong reasons. After the Rams’ tough overtime 38–37 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, Nacua openly criticized NFL referees during a livestream, accusing them of trying to steal the spotlight with questionable calls. His remarks, followed by a similar post on social media, quickly caught attention. When asked about Nacua’s comments, Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed frustration and declined to comment without knowing the full context.
“I can’t even answer questions about something that I am not aware of,” McVay said in a press conference after the game. “I need more information before answering those kinds of questions.”
McVay’s response suggested he wasn’t fully aware of Nacua’s social media post, which he later deleted. In that post, Nacua wrote, “Can you say I was wrong? Appreciate you stripes for your contributions. Lol.”
Was this the right reaction after such a painful loss? That’s up for debate, especially given Nacua’s exceptional performance on the field. He recorded 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns during the game. However, officiating was a major storyline, with the Rams penalized eight times for 54 yards. In the fourth quarter, officials overturned an incomplete pass from Seattle’s offense and ruled it a backward throw, turning a 2-point attempt into a successful fumble recovery. Additionally, a penalty negated a long kickoff return for the Rams in overtime.
After the game, Nacua doubled down on his criticism from the livestream, where he had called the referees “the worst.”
This wasn’t the only controversy surrounding Nacua that week. Leading up to the game, he went viral after streaming with popular influencers Adin Ross and N3on, during which he practiced a touchdown dance that many deemed offensive to Jewish people. Nacua later apologized, acknowledging that the gesture was “antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes.”
When reporters asked McVay about Nacua’s controversial livestream, the head coach expressed that Nacua regretted his actions and understood the significance of the situation.
“He was very apologetic,” McVay said. “I don’t think he fully understood the impact of some of his actions. He’s a young guy, a great kid, and we’re going to continue to help him learn and grow. We don’t ever want to do anything that offends anyone, and I know he feels the same way.”
McVay emphasized that the Rams strive to avoid causing offense and that Nacua truly felt sorry for what happened. Nonetheless, it was a tough week for the rookie receiver, with the focus shifting from his standout play to off-field controversies. His now-deleted post criticizing the refs added fuel to the fire, especially after such a crushing loss.
What Went Wrong for the Rams in Their OT Loss to the Seahawks?
The Rams let a 30–14 lead slip away, allowing the Seahawks to complete a stunning 38–37 comeback victory. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had a strong performance, completing 29 of 49 passes for 457 yards and three touchdowns, including one in overtime. However, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Seattle’s fourth-quarter rally, including a bizarre 2-point conversion ruling, proved to be the turning point. Sam Darnold’s screen pass to Zach Charbonnet was tipped at the line of scrimmage and rolled into the end zone, where Charbonnet recovered the fumble. After a review, officials ruled the pass backward, signaling a fumble recovery for Seattle.
This moment likely fueled Nacua’s frustration with the referees, but the larger issue was the Rams’ inability to close out the game despite holding a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. As a result, they dropped to the No. 5 seed in the NFC, while Seattle moved to the No. 1 spot.
Looking ahead, the Rams will focus on their Week 17 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, hoping to shift the focus back to football and away from the recent controversies.
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