Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua isn’t a big fan of NFL referees.
The Rams’ star pass-catcher told internet streamers Adin Ross and N3on that he thinks referees make certain calls just to get screen time during NFL games.
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“The refs are the worst,” Nacua said. “They wanna be on TV too, brother. Like, you don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on Sunday Night Football? That wasn’t PI, but I called it.'”
Here’s the full video (Warning: NSFW language):
Nacua joined the stream after Rams head coach Sean McVay refused to let the two personalities inside the team facility days before L.A.’s Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The match could determine the NFC West champion and the NFC playoff seedings.
It’s unclear if Nacua’s comments will warrant any action from the league. Players have been fined for criticizing referees in the past. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid both incurred sizable fines in 2023 for public comments about officiating, as did then-Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson. Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and running back Joe Mixon had their fines rescinded in 2025 after they publicly criticized referees.
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All five people mentioned above made those remarks immediately after games during media events, not during off-field appearances. So, in theory, Nacua’s situation is a bit different.
This is also the second stream-related incident for Nacua. He live-streamed himself inside the Rams locker room after the team’s Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals, even though teammates asked him to stop.
With a critical stretch coming for the Rams in 2025, the team can ill-afford to have unnecessary distractions from its best players.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Puka Nacua makes bold statement about NFL refs, calls them ‘the worst’