Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua admits he underwent an important period of self-reflection after being accused of biting a woman and spending time in rehab.
On Thursday, Nacua addressed reporters for the first time since he was sued by the woman in question, who claimed that the NFL star bit her on the shoulder and made an ‘unprovoked’ antisemitic statement during a drunken encounter on New Year’s Eve.
She filed the lawsuit, which cited gender violence, assault and battery and negligence, while the 24-year-old was in rehab back in March.
While he declined to going into specific details about the lawsuit or the night of the alleged incident, Nacua said his time in the facility provided ‘a moment for me to learn from some of the situations I was putting myself in and then also having just an awareness of how I’m conducting myself in and out of this football field.’
He also revealed that he has worked with a Rams therapist and attended unspecified weekly meetings in recent months while trying to improve the structure of his day-to-day life.
‘Little did I know that even just writing in a journal, as simple as that, and finding ways to express some of the things I have near and dear to my heart… it’s been a great improvement in my life,’ Nacua said.
LA Rams star Puka Nacua has broken his silence after his biting lawsuit and stint in rehab
A woman, who attached this photo of the bite mark allegedly left by Nacua in court documents, accused the NFL receiver of biting her during a drunken New Year’s Eve encounter
‘I’ve been really grateful for the support from the organization, especially my teammates,’ he continued. ‘People reaching out at different times of the offseason, just checking in.
‘Some of the things I feel like I’ve learned is it’s OK to ask for support and then to recognize the platform that I have and being a professional football player and trying to use that for the betterment of myself and for those around me.’
Nacua entered the rehab facility early in the offseason, apparently before he was sued in March by the plaintiff – who also claims he bit her friend’s thumb during a night of partying.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection also issued a public apology last December after he performed a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes while appearing on an internet livestream, before he made sharply critical comments against NFL officials on social media.
Nacua turns 25 years old on Friday, and the prolific receiver says he has turned a corner in his off-the-field life. His son was born last October, shortly before trouble started off the field during his wildly prolific season for the Rams, who reached the NFC championship game. He led the NFL with 129 catches and ranked second with 1,715 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, earning unanimous All-Pro honors.
‘I have a young son, and I think of the things that I have the opportunity to share with him, and the great things that I’ve been able to accomplish, and to enjoy those moments, but also to teach him in some of the mistakes I’ve made,’ Nacua said.
‘There’s an opportunity for him to learn before some of those wrong decisions can be made.’
Nacua will be at the center of the Rams’ passing game this fall alongside Davante Adams and NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, but he is also entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Nacua admits he underwent an important period of self-reflection after checking into rehab
The wideout has not yet reached an agreement on a long-term contract extension in LA, although general manager Les Snead has a history of finalizing big deals shortly before the start of training camp.
When asked if he could envision playing in 2026 without an extension, Nacua made it clear he leaves that side of his life up to his agent.
‘I haven’t really thought about it,’ he said. ‘I enjoy playing football. It’s been the biggest dream come true. So to be out here, and play for this organization specifically, has been awesome.
‘I couldn’t imagine myself playing anywhere else, but it´s been fun to go out here and be around these guys, and hopefully let all those things handle themselves.’