Puka Nacua rips NFL officials, says they call penalties so they can be on television: 'The refs are the worst'
- - Puka Nacua rips NFL officials, says they call penalties so they can be on television: 'The refs are the worst'
Chris CwikDecember 18, 2025 at 12:49 AM
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Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua might head into the team's Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks with a lighter wallet than normal. Nacua could face a fine from the NFL following disparaging comments he made about league officials during a livestream appearance Tuesday.
During the livestream, Nacua ripped the refs and accused them of calling penalties to ensure they would appear on the broadcast, per ESPN.
"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.'"
Those accusations are almost certain to get Nacua fined. The NFL doesn't look kindly on players or coaches who are critical of officials, and usually levy hefty fines for those types of comments. The league doesn't play favorites with those fines, either, as both Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid were hit for a combined $150,000 after criticizing the refs following a 2023 playoff game. Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon was also given a $25,000 fine in January after the team's playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the league will almost certainly follow suit with Nacua, it's unclear when that fine will come down. With the Rams playing Thursday night, Nacua might receive his notice from the league after the Rams play their Week 16 game.
The NFL does not normally suspend players or coaches for making critical comments about officials, so Nacua status for Thursday's game shouldn't be in question.
The Rams will need Nacua even more than usual in the contest, as Davante Adams is battling a hamstring injury. Adams' status for Thursday's game remains up in the air, meaning Nacua could see more work as Matthew Stafford looks to lead the Rams to victory over the division-rival Seahawks.
Source: “AOL Sports”
