Puka Nacua thinks NFL referees are “the worst.”
He believes they are faking calls just so their friends can see them on TV.
But honestly Rams the star receiver doesn't seem too upset about the situation.
During a livestream on Tuesday with YouTubers N3on and Adin Ross, Nacua was asked if he thought judges could bend the truth at times when making their decisions.
“Oh, one hundred percent,” Nacua replied dryly. “Yes, the judges are the worst.”
The third-year player continued in the same nonchalant manner, saying that NFL officials are typically part-time employees and likely get a thrill when they appear on screen during national broadcasts—even if it's during a bell.
“These guys are lawyers and they look like they want to be on TV too, bro,” Nacua said. “You don't think he's texting his friends in the group chat like, 'Hey, you guys just saw me on Sunday Night Football.' Like, it wasn't [pass interference]but I called.”
He added: “I mean, these guys are normal people too.”
NFL Competition Committee talks about the league's football activities website that “criticism of refereeing has always been considered conduct detrimental to the League.” This behavior is often punishable by a fine. Cleveland Browns Quarterback Myles GarrettKansas City Chiefs defensive end Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid all have been fined for publicly criticizing refereeing in recent years.
The NFL did not immediately respond to questions from The Times about a possible fine for Nacua.
During another part of the live broadcast, Nacua agrees to perform a celebratory dance of Ross and N3on's choice after his next landing. While Nacua is out of earshot, two YouTubers discuss whether the 2023 Pro Bowl player will get in trouble if they force him to perform a move that references an offensive stereotype about Jews. Ross is Jewish, but he often performs this technique and teaches it to others on his live streams.
He eventually teaches the move to Nacua, who practices it with Ross and promises to do it during the game. Ross doesn't explain the significance of the move to Nacua, and the star receiver gives no hint that he knows the reasoning behind it.
The Times reached out to the Rams' agent and Nacua and did not receive an immediate response.
