Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has once again landed himself in controversy after publicly criticizing NFL referees following his team’s narrow 38–37 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 24-year-old receiver took to X (formerly Twitter) moments after the game, posting a now-deleted message that reignited debate over officiating standards in the league.
In the post, which was quickly screenshotted and widely circulated, Nacua wrote, “Can you say I was wrong,” before sarcastically thanking the referees “Appreciate you stripes for your contribution” and signing off with a casual “lol.” Though the post was deleted shortly after, ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed it had been published immediately after the final whistle.
This is not the first time Nacua has voiced frustration with officials. Just days earlier, he drew attention during a livestream with N3on and Adin Ross, calling NFL referees “the worst” and accusing them of enjoying the spotlight. He also questioned the league’s long-standing practice of employing part-time officials, a topic that has divided players, coaches, and fans for years.
Despite deleting the tweet, Nacua could still face consequences. Under NFL rules, players can be fined for public comments that question the integrity or impartiality of officials, with past penalties ranging from $10,000 to over $50,000. Online reactions were swift, with several users warning him to delete the post before a fine arrived advice he eventually followed.
Rams head coach Sean McVay distanced himself from the situation, saying during the post-match press conference that he was unaware of the tweet and declined to comment further. Nacua later described his post as a “moment of frustration,” explaining that missed opportunities had placed too much control of the game in officials’ hands.
Despite the controversy, Nacua delivered a strong on-field performance, and the Rams appear to continue backing their star receiver as the league reviews the situation.
