Sean McVay Flustered After Learning About Puka Nacua’s Tweet Ripping NFL Referees in Press Conference

NEED TO KNOW

• Rams head coach Sean McVay seemed flustered when reporters asked him about a since-deleted tweet from receiver Puka Nacua

• McVay said Nacua is still understanding the scope of his “platform” in the NFL and that he’s a “great kid”

• Nacua issued an apology on Dec. 18 for an offensive dance move he considered doing after a touchdown

Sean McVay appeared blindsided when reporters asked him about his star receiver Puka Nacua‘s social media post immediately after the Rams’ loss to the Seahawks.

After the 38-37 defeat, McVay, 39, was asked about the since-deleted post by Nacua, 24 — which was screengrabbed and re-uploaded by multiple accounts — that reportedly said, “Can you say I was wrong. Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol.”

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The post on X came just after Nacua slammed NFL referees during a livestream and accused some of them of making calls in games just to get on television.

“The refs are the worst,” he said on the stream, adding, “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 [pass interference], but I called it.’ “

After the Rams’ loss on Thursday, Dec. 18, reporters asked McVay about the post on X about the referees’ “contribution” to the game.

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McVay asked what the reporter was “talking about” and appeared frustrated. “I can’t answer your questions about something that I’m not aware of,” McVay said.

“I got to have more information before I answer those types of questions,” McVay said, before going on to defend his star receiver.

McVay said Nacua, whose brother was arrested on Dec. 13 for allegedly taking a car without permission, is still understanding his responsibility in the public eye and that he’s a “great kid that’s continuing to learn about just the platform that he has.”

“I love him, we’re going to continue to put our arm around him and help him learn and grow,” the Rams head coach continued. “But we never want to do things that ever offend anybody, and I know he feels that same way.”

McVay said he knows Nacua’s “heart” and added, “for anybody that was offended, terribly sorry about that. I know he feels that same exact way.”

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Before concluding his response about Nacua, McVay noted to reporters that his receiver does not appear “distracted” on the field, despite making headlines for his off-the-field behavior recently, and complimented his performance.

“He went off today,” said McVay.

Also on Dec. 18, Nacua issued an apology after making an antisemitic gesture on a livestream.

“When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration,” he began in his apology. “At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people. I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”

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Read the original article on People