Puka Nacua Faces Hefty NFL Fines After Blasting Referees Following Overtime Loss

Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua is in hot water with the league. He publicly criticized NFL officials after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The game ended 38-37 on Thursday night. Nacua took to social media minutes after the final whistle.

His since-deleted post took a direct shot at the referees. This comes just days after he lambasted officials during a livestream appearance. According to NFL Network, a substantial fine is now expected.

Controversial Call Fuels Player Frustration

The loss was decided by a chaotic sequence. Seattle scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown. They then attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game.

Rams defender Kobie Turner deflected the pass. The ball was recovered in the end zone by a Seahawks player. Officials reviewed the play and ruled it a backward pass and fumble recovery.

That ruling gave Seattle two points and tied the game. Seattle then won in overtime with another two-point play. This critical review directly impacted the game’s outcome.

A Pattern of Criticism Draws League Scrutiny

Nacua’s post-game tweet was not an isolated incident. Earlier in the week, he appeared on a popular livestream. He called NFL referees “the worst” during that appearance.

He suggested officials sometimes make calls to get on television. These remarks were widely reported by sports media. Ian Rapoport stated a fine was likely before Thursday’s game even kicked off.

Coach Sean McVay addressed the tweet after the loss. He told reporters he was unaware of the post until informed. The league typically moves quickly to discipline public criticism of officiating.

This situation highlights ongoing tension between players and NFL referees. Fines are the standard penalty for such public comments. The amount will likely reflect the repetitive nature of his criticisms.

The expected fine for Puka Nacua underscores the NFL’s strict policy on publicly criticizing officiating. His comments, following a game decided by a controversial replay review, put the league’s consistency in the spotlight.

Thought you’d like to know

What did Puka Nacua say about the referees?

After the game, he posted a sarcastic tweet thanking officials for their “contribution.” Days earlier, he called refs “the worst” on a livestream, suggesting they make calls to get airtime.

Why was the Seahawks’ two-point conversion controversial?

A deflected pass was ruled a backward pass and fumble. Recovery in the end zone counted for two points. The replay-assisted decision directly tied the game late.

What is the NFL’s policy on criticizing officials?

The league prohibits public criticism of officiating. It is a violation of the NFL’s sportsmanship rules. Fines are the standard and automatic penalty for such comments.

How much will Puka Nacua’s fine be?

While not officially announced, fines for criticizing officials often start around $10,000. The amount can be higher for repeat comments or high-profile players.

Did the Rams coach comment on this?

Sean McVay said he was unaware of Nacua’s tweet until after the game. He learned about it from a reporter during his post-game press conference.