As the Rams prepared for their game on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks, star receiver Puka Nacua, the Rams and the NFL issued statements related to Nacua performing a gesture “antisemitic in nature” during a livestream.
In a post on Instagram, Nacua apologized for the gesture he made while appearing on a livestream with Adin Ross and N3on. The livestreamers, with Nacua out of earshot, discussed whether Nacua would get in trouble if he performed a move that references an offensive stereotype about Jewish people. Ross is Jewish, but he often performs the move and teaches others how to do it in his livestreams.
They suggested Nacua perform the gesture the next time he celebrated after scoring a touchdown.
“At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemetic in nature and perpetuated hateful stereotypes against Jewish people,” Nacua wrote in his post. “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.”
The Rams denounced the gesture.
“There is no place in this world for Antisemitism as well as other forms of prejudice or hostility towards the Jewish people and people of any religion, ethnicity, or race,” the team said.
The NFL said it “strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed towards any group or individual.
“The continuing rise of antisemitism must be addressed across the world,” the league said, “and the NFL will continue to stand with our partners in this fight. Hatred has no place in our sport or society.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) was among those who criticized Nacua, saying it was especially insensitive in light of the attack in Sydney that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.
“The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre,” Swalwell wrote on X. “He promises an antisemitic touchdown dance for his Thursday night game. He should apologize or be dropped.”
Earlier in the livestream, Nacua also criticized NFL referees, calling them “the worst” and accusing them of fabricating calls to gain airtime on national broadcasts.
The NFL considers officiating criticism “conduct detrimental to the league” and has fined players and coaches for speaking out.
“These guys are lawyers, and like really they want to be on TV, too, bro,” Nacua said. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on “Sunday Night Football.” Like, that wasn’t [pass interference], but I called it.’”
He added: “I mean, these guys are normal human beings, too.”
Staff writer Chuck Schilken and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared on LA Times
