Puka Nacua, wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, recently voiced his frustrations regarding NFL referees during a livestream session with popular streamers Adin Ross and N3on. In December 2023, those comments blew up in a way that made national news. They argue that this motivates some referees to focus more on building their on-screen brand than correctly officiating games. Nacua even announced, “The refs suck,” on the side of the field, emphasizing his frustration with the NFL’s refereeing expectations.
As Nacua’s comments would suggest, the Rams were getting ready to play the Seahawks. An important head-to-head in the playoff race, this game falls on “Thursday Night Football.” With both teams fighting for first place in the NFC West, every call on the field mattered tremendously. The Rams recently secured a victory over the Detroit Lions, further intensifying the stakes as they approach this important game.
During the panel, Nacua further explained his beliefs regarding the officiating quality in the NFL. He implied that some policy makers are driven by a need for television appearances.
“… Some of the rules aren’t … These guys want to be … these guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too. 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 P.I., but I called it.’” – Puka Nacua
His comments are reflective of a larger feeling from players across the league about officiating these days. This is not the first time that NFL players have called out referees on social media. Joe Mixon had to pay a significant $25,000 fine. This fine was a result of his comments after the Houston Texans fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs. Similarly, both QB Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid were fined for openly criticizing officiating calls.
Sarah Barshop, an ESPN reporter based in LA, covers the Rams. On December 17, 2025, she blogged about Nacua’s statements. Her reporting has drawn attention to how the players’ attitudes towards officiating can shape perceptions of fairness in the league.
Amidst these controversies, sports analyst Rich Eisen has expressed strong support for the Rams, stating he believes they are currently the best team in football. Nacua and his teammates look to build on this performance when they face the Seahawks on Sunday. They’re praying for better, and more consistent, officiating so what they do on the ice can really start to impress.
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