In an interview with Netflix’s Elle Duncan, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua opened up about his decision to check into rehab during the offseason, saying he “stayed away from conflict” and relied on alcohol to escape depression in the past.
“I’ve learned to avoid confrontations, which is fun because of the nature of football. I’d say I play very physical,” the 25-year-old Nacua said in an interview before Thursday’s game between the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. “Just getting rid of things that I know are causing me stress.”
When Duncan asked what was causing his stress, Naqua cited lifestyle changes, the NFL spotlight and raising his 10-month-old son as a new father.
“I isolated myself to feel like the weight of all the issues and things was stuck on my shoulders and I refused to ask for help,” Naqua said. “I wasn’t one to share my fears or worries. I was always looking for different ways to escape from that stress or anxiety.”
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Asked what he used to escape in the past, Nacua paused: “Alcohol was definitely an issue for me,” he said. “I just drowned myself out of having a chance to deal with my problems and anxieties. But when I got into the rehab center, I was able to have open and honest conversations.”
Nakwa himself to a A private institution in April After some off-field controversies.
In December 2025, just days before the Rams played the biggest game of their regular season against the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, Naqua tried unsuccessfully. Fake Streams Adin Ross and N3on Entering a group facility without permission. He then appeared on their live stream after practice, where he accused NFL referees of inventing calls to be seen on TV.
He performed a touch dance with anti-Semitic undertones. Naqua released a statement. Apologies for the touching danceClaiming he didn’t know it was anti-Semitic when he learned about it on the live stream.
Naqua then had his best performance of the season: 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns, but the Rams lost 38-37 to the Seahawks in overtime. Minutes after the game, Nacua doubled down on his criticism of the referee on Twitter, resulting in a $25,000 fine.
A few weeks later A woman was reportedly bitten. While he was drunk on New Year’s Eve, he had the charges he was facing brought against him.
In a statement on his admission to the facility, Naqua’s lawyer Levi McKerne said: “Puka will take responsibility for his safety and improve his performance during the season. … He is determined to use this time constructively to get back to where he can be personally and professionally – to continue to contribute to the team and the game he loves.”
“He will complete the program enough to participate in all Rams OTAs. Puca is truly grateful for the support from his family, friends, coach (Sean) McVeigh and his teammates.”
Naqua was a clear star on the field in Rams training camp, and in 2026, he’ll be looking to build on his most successful season — statistically — last year. But regardless, Naqua said, what he’s most looking forward to now is being a man, “I think my son would be proud.”
“These are some of the darkest times in my life, and as my son grows up, I can share with him some of the things I’ve learned from the mistakes I’ve made,” Naqua said. “I want to go to a place where he’s a part of and make him say, ‘This is my dad.’”
