It was a difficult week for Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua, who made headlines after unknowingly performing an antisemitic dance during an appearance on a livestream with Adin Ross and N3on.
Nacua also raised some eyebrows when he implied that some NFL officials only make calls for the sole purpose of getting on TV.
The 24-year-old would double down on his remarks after the Rams’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in a social media post that has since been deleted.
It led to the NFL fining Nacua $25,000 despite the two-time Pro Bowler showing remorse and chalking his comments up to frustration.
“That one, it definitely hurt,” Nacua said of being fined by the NFL. “I think it was something I was expecting. It was a learning moment and an experience to learn from and to never let happen again.
“There are going to be moments of frustration later on in my career whether it’s ups and downs on my personal half or on the team’s half so being able to manage those emotions and send that energy in the right direction.”
The NFL automatically fines players and coaches for any public criticism of officials, so there was nothing Nacua could really do except take responsibility and learn from the mistake.
The Rams don’t seem to be concerned about Nacua’s decision-making so both sides have likely already moved on and are preparing for their Week 17 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
How Rams can still win NFC West & clinch No. 1 seed
The Rams squandered a great opportunity to take control of the NFC West when they fell to the Seattle Seahawks last week in overtime on Thursday Night Football.
The team now faces the likelihood of making the playoffs as a Wild Card team but they still have a slim chance to win the division.
In order for that to happen, the Rams must win their final two games of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. That shouldn’t be overly difficult as both teams are well out of the playoff picture.
L.A. also needs the Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers to lose at least one of their final two games. Seattle is set to face the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers in Week 17, while San Francisco will play the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.
If the Rams take care of business and get some help along the way to win the NFC West, they would need the Bears to lose at one of their final two games in order to clinch the No. 1 seed. Chicago will host the Detroit Lions in Week 18 after their game against the 49ers.
