Rams’ Puka Nacua says NFL fine stung, calls it a 'learning moment'

For conscionable the 2nd clip successful his NFL career, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is dealing with the world of a league-imposed fine. The NFL Network reported that the third-year receiver was fined $25,000 aft helium criticized officials during a viral livestream and successful a societal media post.

On Friday, the 24-year-old addressed the costly discipline, acknowledging it was difficult. 

"That one, it decidedly hurt," Nacua told reporters successful his archetypal nationalist comments since helium received the fine.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

He added that the good served arsenic a lesson. 

"I deliberation it was thing I was expecting," helium said. "It was a learning infinitesimal and an acquisition to larn from and to ne'er fto hap again.

Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams reacts during the 2nd 4th against the Indianapolis Colts astatine SoFi Stadium Sept. 28, 2025, successful Inglewood, Calif. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

"There are going to beryllium moments of vexation aboriginal connected successful my career, whether it’s ups and downs connected my idiosyncratic fractional oregon connected the team’s half. So, being capable to negociate those emotions and nonstop that vigor successful the close direction."

Nacua raised eyebrows erstwhile helium said during a livestream quality with net personalities Adin Ross and N3on that "the refs are the worst."

NFL UPHOLDS SUSPENSION FOR STEELERS STAR DK METCALF

He besides stirred contention during the livestream erstwhile helium appeared to execute a motion that plays upon antisemitic tropes. He aboriginal apologized.

"I had nary thought this enactment was antisemitic successful quality and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people," the receiver said successful an Instagram post. "I profoundly apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions arsenic I bash not basal for immoderate signifier of racism, bigotry oregon hatred of different radical of people."

Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams reacts aft a drawback during the 3rd 4th against the Seattle Seahawks astatine Lumen Field Dec. 18, 2025, successful Seattle.  (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

After catching 12 passes for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns successful a Dec. 18 overtime nonaccomplishment to the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua erstwhile again expressed his vexation with however NFL referees handled the game.

"Can you accidental one was wrong. Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol," helium wrote connected X.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs with the shot during the 2nd fractional against the Seattle Seahawks Dec. 18, 2025, successful Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Rams manager Sean McVay dismissed the thought that the off-field chatter surrounding Nacua was a distraction starring up to past week’s clash with the team’s NFC West rival.

"It wasn’t a distraction astatine all," McVay said. "Did you deliberation his play showed helium was distracted? I didn’t deliberation truthful either. He went disconnected today."

Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to watercourse the full FOX Nation library, positive unrecorded FOX News, Sports and Entertainment astatine our lowest terms of the year. The connection ends connected Jan. 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Nacua said helium was much than blessed to determination guardant from the tumultuous bid of events.

"A 100 percent," Nacua said. "Christmas. I’m gladsome determination was thing similar a large happening going on, thing that would propulsion everything to the erstwhile week. It’s been bully to enjoy, celebrate, rejoice and past get acceptable for what’s up of us."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.