Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been accused by a woman of biting her arm and making antisemitic comments during an incident at a New Year's Eve party on Dec. 31, 2024, in Los Angeles.[1][2]
The woman detailed the allegations in a petition for a temporary restraining order filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Jan. 8, 2025. A judge denied the temporary order during an ex parte hearing.[1][2]
Nacua's attorney, Levi McCathern, called the claims "nothing more than a shakedown attempt" and stated that the alleged bite "left nothing more than a temporary mark."[1][2]
A hearing on the restraining order request is scheduled for April 14, 2025.[1][2]
Fox News Digital reached out to Nacua's representatives and the Rams for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Nacua, a 23-year-old Samoan-American wide receiver drafted by the Rams in the fifth round (No. 177 overall) of the 2023 NFL draft out of Brigham Young University, set NFL rookie records with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards in 2023.[3][4]
In a separate incident, Nacua apologized on Dec. 26, 2024, after performing a hand-rubbing gesture during a livestream with Jewish streamer Adin Ross that drew accusations of antisemitism.[5][6]
"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 a statement shared via a "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" graphic. "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."[5][6]
Sources
- ESPN, "Puka Nacua restraining order: NFL receiver accused of assault, battery, antisemitic slur", January 10, 2025, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39360973/puka-nacua-restraining-order-nfl-receiver-accused-assault-battery-antisemitic-slur
- TMZ, "Rams' Puka Nacua Accused Of Biting Woman At New Year's Eve Party & Making Anti-Semitic Slur", January 10, 2025, https://www.tmz.com/2025/01/10/puka-nacua-bite-restraining-order-nfl/
- Los Angeles Rams, "Puka Nacua - Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver", accessed October 2025, https://www.therams.com/team/players-roster/puka-nacua/
- Pro Football Reference, "Puka Nacua", accessed October 2025, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NacuPu00.htm
- ESPN, "Puka Nacua apologizes for gesture viewed as antisemitic on Adin Ross stream", December 26, 2024, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42924000/puka-nacua-apologizes-gesture-adin-ross-stream-perceived-antisemitic
- NFL.com, "Rams WR Puka Nacua apologizes for antisemitic gesture on live stream", December 26, 2024, https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-wr-puka-nacua-apologizes-for-antisemitic-gesture-on-live-stream
