Rams’ Puka Nacua acknowledges alcohol issues during ‘darkest times’ of his life

Puka Nacua told Netflix’s Elle Duncan that “alcohol was definitely a thing” as he went through an offseason which he described as the “darkest times I’ve had in my life.”

Prior to Thursday night’s Los Angeles Rams-San Francisco 49ers game from Melbourne, Australia, Nacua explained what led him to check into a rehabilitation center in March.

“I was never one to share my fears, my worries,” the Rams wide receiver said. “I was always finding different ways to escape from that tension, that stress. I think one, alcohol was definitely a thing for me. Just kind of drowning myself so that the issues and the stress that I was feeling never had the opportunity to be addressed.”

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The 25-year-old Nacua was a 2023 fifth-round draft pick by the Rams out of BYU. He immediately shot to stardom with a 1,400-yard rookie season. In 2025, he was a First-team All-Pro, the NFL’s receptions leader and a second-time Pro Bowler after recording 129 catches for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Turning into a household name overnight was something Nacua said he struggled to deal with. He was also co-parenting with his son’s mother, which led him to isolate himself at times.

Nacua’s off-the-field issues this past offseason also included a woman filing a lawsuit against him, accusing him of making an antisemitic statement and biting her shoulder. The woman cited gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence in her lawsuit. Nacua has denied the allegations against him. There were was also several incidents last season, including appearing on a livestream before a game and agreeing to perform an antisemitic touchdown celebration.

The time in rehab, Nacua said, allowed him to have “open and honest conversations” and he’s eager for the future.

“I’m looking forward most to becoming a person that I think my son will be proud of … and as my son gets older, I can share some of the things that I’ve learned from the mistakes I’ve made,” Nacua said.

Nacua has practiced with the Rams since training camp opened and caught five passes for 74 yards in the Rams’ 27-7 opening game loss to the 49ers. The NFL could still hand out a suspension at some point this season.