Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua admitted in an interview with Netflix that he struggled with alcohol while dealing with issues ranging from his rise to NFL stardom to the birth of his son.
In a pre-recorded interview that aired before Thursday night’s Rams-49ers game in Australia, Nacua spoke with Netflix’s Elle Duncan about his offseason rehab experience.
“I think first of all, alcohol was definitely something that was special to me,” Nacua said. “I just drowned myself so that the problems and stress I felt could never be solved. But once I entered rehab, I was able to have open and honest conversations.”
Last December, Nacua apologized after he made a gesture during a live Internet broadcast that played on anti-Semitic stereotypes. He is also being sued for assault and battery by a woman who claims he made an anti-Semitic statement and bit her on the shoulder on New Year’s Eve – a case that is still pending.
Nacua said his rapid rise in the NFL, as well as the birth of his first son, contributed to stress that he did not handle well.
“I kind of isolated myself to feel the weight of all the problems and things that were on my shoulders,” Nacua said. “There was no desire to ask for help. I never shared my fears and worries, I always found different ways to get away from this tension or stress.”
Nacua was one of the most productive receivers in NFL history during his first three seasons with the Rams, who drafted him in the fifth round out of BYU in 2023. Last season, he led the league with 129 catches and had 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
“I’m looking forward to becoming a person that I think my son will be proud of,” Nacua said. “These are the darkest times of my life. When my son is older, I will be able to share with him some of the things I have learned from the mistakes I have made. I want to be able to go into any environment that he might be a part of and have him say, “That’s my father.”