Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is in some hot water after doing a “Jewish emote” on a live stream and promising to do it as a touchdown celebration if he scores this week. Puka’s Rams will be facing off against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in a crucial NFC West matchup that could determine the fate of the #1 seed in the playoffs.
While appearing on a live stream with internet personalities Adin Ross and Neon, the 24-year-old Los Angeles Rams wide receiver took part in Ross’ “Jewish emote” and said he would do it as a celebration if he scored a touchdown.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is facing backlash for doing a “Jewish emote” while on a live stream with Adin Ross
Puka Nacua will be doing Adin Ross’s ICONIC JEWISH DANCE for his next touchdown celebration 😭 pic.twitter.com/W2dQL4kSMB
— AdinUpdate (@AdinUpdate) December 17, 2025
Puka’s head really is just full of cement https://t.co/t2eWqMaZzM pic.twitter.com/lLoUVWlqo1
— Zach Schwartz (@zachzachzach) December 17, 2025
“Ross, who is Jewish, often does this as part of what is referred to as his ‘Jewish Dance’ or ‘Jewish emote.’ The movement, which can be easily interpreted as someone who is miserly or greedy rubbing their hands together, has been called out as an antisemitic trope.” [via Awful Announcing]
Just seen Puka was hanging out with A*den Ro*s & N*on. He just became SO unlikable. pic.twitter.com/wOgbNCuKKa
— le spoon (@FDT4EVUR) December 17, 2025
Puka Nacua on a short week for some reason pic.twitter.com/fpuXLyo8CX
— Nate (@nateydriver) December 17, 2025
During the live stream, Nacua also took a shot at the NFL’s refs, saying that they make calls just to impress their friends.
“The refs are the worst,” Nacua said. “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 just saw me on Sunday Night Football? That wasn’t PI (pass interference), but I called it.’”
Through Week 15 of the NFL season, Puka has 102 catches for 1,367 yards and six touchdowns. While his career started off as a cinderella story by exploding onto the scene to be one of the best receivers in the NFL after being selected in the 5th round of the 2023 NFL draft, some of Nacua’s actions this season, such as the Jewish emote, has made him a more controversial figure.
After the moment went viral on social media, Puka took to social media to issue an apology, says he did not know that the move was “antisemitic” and “perpetuated harmful stereotypes.”
A statement from Rams WR Puka Nacua, apologizing: pic.twitter.com/h2UZX5fn4W
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2025