Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua has entered rehab in California after allegations from a woman that he bit her when he was drunk on New Year’s Eve.
Nacua, 24, is widely considered one of the top wide receivers in the NFL but his behavior has propeled him into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.
He was accused of biting a woman and using an antisemitic slur during a group outing on New Year’s Eve in the Century City area of Los Angeles. The woman also filed for a temporary restraining order, which has since been dropped.
Nacua has denied the allegations, which included claims that he also used antisemitic slurs during dinner, and has threatened to retaliate with a defamation lawsuit.
But his attorny has confirmed the rehab move, saying that he is getting help at a facility in Malibu.
‘He was in there a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke,’ Levi McCathern told The California Post. ‘He’s scheduled to be there for a while longer.’
Los Angeles Rams wide receiever Puka Nacua has entered a rehab facility in Malibu
The 24-year-old Nacua was accused of biting a woman during a New Year’s Eve outing
McCathern added that Nacua is working ‘to improve his overall behavior in every aspect of his life that he can do it. I’m really proud of him doing it and doing it in this offseason.
‘I have talked to him. He’s in great spirits. I think he’s doing absolutely fabulous. I’m just really excited for how he’s going to look next year. For as great as he was, I think he’s going to be even better going forward.’
It is not the first time that Nacua has faced accusations of antisemitic behavior.
In December, he faced significant backlash and later issued an apology after appearing on a livestream with streamer Adin Ross, during which he performed a gesture widely criticized as antisemitic.
In a separate statement given to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, McCathern added that Nacua is fully expected to participate in practice camps for the Rams this summer leading up to the new season starting in early September.
‘He will be compelte the program in plenty of time to be involved in all of the Rams OTA,’ he said. ‘It is unfortunate that a trivial lawsuit has drawn attention to Puka during a time when he is focused on becoming a better overall person.’
Nacua is known as being one of the more lively characters in the league. Earlier this year, he jokingly hinted at trying to date Sydney Sweeney after the Hollywood star said she wanted a man who would go skydiving with her.
After her comments went viral, Nacua mischievously tweeted ‘love skydiving’.
The woman attached this photo of the bite mark allegedly left by Nacua in court documents
He was also later seen in LA on multiple occasions with the famous fitness influencer Sara Saffari.
Speaking earlier this week, before it emerged that Nacua was in rehab, his head coach Sean McVay paid a heartfelt tribute to him at the NFL owners’ meeting.
‘You guys know, I trust this kid’s heart,’ McVay said, via NBC Sports. ‘Love him, put your arm around him, want to continue to help him grow. And, really, get all the appropriate facts before I rush to judgment on that particular situation.
‘But I will say, knowing this guy for three years, I do trust his heart. I trust the human being. And I want to be able to put my arm around him.
‘Puka would be the first to tell you, he and I have a close relationship. We communicate clearly, openly, and honestly,’ McVay said.
‘The play on the field is amazing, and with what the play has dictated and determined, there’s a responsibility in terms of representing all things – not exclusive to just that. He knows that. Those are the expectations.
‘And we’re hopeful that will be something that, this is an opportunity for him to learn and grow, and we are hopeful that he’s a Ram for a really long time.
‘But he understands what the responsibility is, not exclusive to just the production on the field.’
