Puka Nacua did not hit a controversial dance following a touchdown on Thursday night.
The Rams superstar scored in the fourth quarter of Los Angeles’ road matchup with the Seahawks, but when he got up to celebrate, he spun the ball, performed a quick gesture with his arms, and then had some fun with his teammates.
The lack of a polarizing motion was noteworthy, of course, because earlier in the week, he had vowed on a livestream to celebrate in a way that led to him publicly apologizing.
Nacua promised internet star Adin Ross that if he scored against Seattle, he’d hunch over and rub his hands together in a fashion some considered antisemitic.
But after facing plenty of backlash, Nacua apologized and clearly scrapped the plan.
In his mea culpa, Nacua explained he “had no idea” his behavior would be construed as hurtful.
Los Angeles wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) scores a touchdown during the second half of the Rams-Seahawks game on Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. AP
“I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people,” he said in a statement earlier Thursday.
“Thursday Night Football” announcers Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit addressed the ordeal on air just minutes before Nacua’s big TD.
Michaels, pointing to the statement, said the Rams and Nacua chalked the whole thing up to being young and naive, and then Herbstreit defended the wideout’s character.
Puka Nacua celebrates after scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown during the Rams-Seahawks game at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2025 in Seattle. Getty Images“He’s a great guy — I’ve followed him since he was at BYU,” Herbstreit said. He then added, “Hopefully he learns from this mistake.”
Nacua went on to score a second touchdown later in the game — which the Rams lost, 38-37 — but he once more had a muted celebration.
He finished with 12 catches for a career-high 225 yards and two scores.
