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Cali Dem Blasts NFL Star Over Controversial Touchdown Dance

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Puka Nacua
Photo Credit: Sewageboy, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

A casual livestream appearance by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has erupted into controversy after he agreed to perform a touchdown celebration that critics say carries antisemitic undertones, triggering backlash across social media and renewed scrutiny of the young NFL star’s off-field behavior.

Nacua appeared this week on a livestream hosted by internet personalities Adin Ross and N3on, where the group spent time chatting, joking, and playing ping pong while engaging with viewers in real time.

The stream covered a range of topics, including football, online culture, and Nacua’s experiences playing in Los Angeles for a Rams team currently sitting atop the NFC standings.

As the livestream neared its conclusion, Ross and N3on solicited suggestions from viewers for a new touchdown dance that Nacua could perform during an upcoming game.

The wide receiver, who has quickly become one of the Rams’ most productive scoring threats, listened as Ross demonstrated a sequence of movements, including mimicking the act of spinning a football, flexing, and rubbing his hands together.

Ross did not explain the origin or meaning of the gesture to Nacua during the exchange.

The movement, however, is widely recognized online as the “Happy Merchant,” a caricature frequently cited as an antisemitic depiction of a Jewish man.

As Ross acted out the motion, the streamers laughed and asked Nacua if he would perform the dance after his next touchdown.

“I got you,” Nacua replied during the stream.

The moment quickly circulated online, drawing criticism from a wide range of viewers who argued that the gesture carried offensive symbolism regardless of intent.

The controversy soon reached political circles. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., called for accountability from the Rams receiver in a social media post.

“The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre,” Swalwell wrote on X.

“And what does this a—— [Nacua] do? He promises an antisemitic touchdown dance for his Thursday night game. He should apologize or be dropped.”

The livestream also shed light on internal tensions within the Rams organization regarding Nacua’s media activity.

During the broadcast, Nacua revealed that he initially attempted to host Ross and N3on at the Rams’ Southern California facilities, an idea that was quickly rejected by head coach Sean McVay.

“I thought my team communicated. I guess there was no communication,” Nacua told the streamers over the phone. “Especially then, when Coach found out, he didn’t f*** with that. Just because of the short week.

“Let me handle business on Thursday, then we should be good.”

Nacua later joined the livestream from a van, reiterating that McVay was unhappy about the plan to bring the influencers into the team’s building.

“When bossman heard about it, was not happy about that one, Coach,” Nacua said while laughing.

The episode followed a separate incident earlier this season that also raised eyebrows inside the Rams locker room.

After a Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Nacua was seen livestreaming from inside the locker room despite repeated requests from teammates to stop.

“Hey bro, don’t livestream,” one teammate said. “Don’t livestream in the locker room,” the teammate repeated when ignored.

Nacua denied that he was broadcasting despite the objections. “What? I’m not,” he said.

“What do you mean you’re not? I’m looking at it,” a teammate replied.

“I know, but it’s not of everybody,” Nacua responded.

He then walked around the locker room with his phone, telling viewers, “Nobody’s in here yet, cuzzo.”

Attempting to downplay the situation, Nacua added, “Ain’t nobody’s buttcheeks on the camera, bro. Chill out.”

Beyond the controversy surrounding the touchdown dance, the livestream featured several other moments that quickly went viral. At one point, Nacua launched into a rant criticizing NFL officiating.

“These guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV, too,” he said. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you just saw me on Sunday Night Football? That wasn’t PI, but I called it.’”

In another segment, Nacua speculated about the Kansas City Chiefs’ struggles this season, jokingly attributing their issues to what has been dubbed the “Taylor Swift curse.”

“I mean, they didn’t have Rashee Rice who’s their other receiver this year,” Nacua remarked.

“I don’t feel like they ran the ball well. [Isiah] Pacheco was their running back, right? I don’t feel like he played really good.”

He continued as Ross and N3on laughed along. “It’s got to be the Swift curse or something like that, I don’t know… after they ran out of a little bit of the juice.”

The livestream controversy unfolded as the Rams prepared to travel to Seattle for a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Seahawks.

Separately, attention has also turned toward Nacua’s family following a criminal case involving his older brother.

Samson Nacua was arrested this month in connection with the alleged theft of a vehicle belonging to Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero.

According to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, deputies were flagged down in West Hollywood, where the victim reported that his newer model BMW SUV had been taken without his consent and tracked to that location.

“Deputies were flagged down in the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood and contact the victim who stated his newer model BMW was stolen and he was able to track it to that location,” the department said in a statement.

Authorities arrested two suspects in the case, identified as 27-year-old Samson Nacua and 27-year-old Trey Rose.

“During the initial investigation it was discovered that suspect Nacua took the vehicle from the Wilshire location and suspect Rose was the driver when they arrived at Sunset location,” the statement continued.

“Both suspects were arrested for Taking a Vehicle Without the Owners Consent, violation of 10851(a) CVC.”

Samson Nacua played college football at Utah and BYU, the same school his younger brother attended.

He later joined the UFL after failing to make an NFL roster but was suspended in April after slapping a fan in the face.

Amid the controversy, unrelated praise for the Rams also surfaced this week from an unexpected source.

Actor Macaulay Culkin singled out defensive tackle Poona Ford as a key contributor to the team’s success during an appearance on the podcast “Mythical Kitchen.”

“You said the keyword: Poona Ford!” Culkin said after host Josh Scherer noted improvements in the Rams’ run defense.

“I swear, if he was one inch taller, if he was six feet tall, he’d be making bigger bank,” Culkin added. “He’s got this stigma, but man, we haven’t had a guy plug up the hole like that since [Ndamukong] Suh was on the team, really.”

The “Home Alone” star continued, “That’s what it’s all about: Poona Ford. He’s the quiet MVP of this season because that was what a big hole in our defense was, the run. And Poona, man, he just… he does it. Unsung hero.”

When asked about his biggest concern for the team, Culkin replied, “Not having Poona Ford on the Rams.”

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