Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rams star Puka Nacua makes shocking accusation against NFL referees

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Dec 18, 2025 8:04 AM ET

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has made some serious allegations about the referees in the NFL. The third-year wide receiver thinks that the referees are trying to make questionable calls so that they can be featured on television.

The 24-year-old believes that referees, some of whom are lawyers, enjoy the limelight that comes with officiating national broadcasts. In fact, he claimed that these officials brag to their friends about being featured on prime-time television.

This came after the Rams won an important Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday night, in which he recorded 181 receiving yards on nine receptions.

Nacua's claims are another development in the ongoing discussion about the quality of officiating in the league.

The remarks were recorded in a video posted by sports media personality Dov Kleiman.

Wow: Rams star WR Puka Nacua EXPOSED the NFL referees saying they make bad calls ON PURPOSE just to get screen time on TV.

“They are lawyers, they wanna be on TV. They text their friends in their group chat like, ‘Did you see me do that on Sunday Night Football?’”

pic.twitter.com/XpySkdQbEF
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 17, 2025

Nacua claims referees prioritize TV time over accurate officiating

The receiver did not hold back when speaking about what he believes to be the motivations of the referees.

“These guys are lawyers. They wanna be on TV too, bro,” Nacua said. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like yo, you guys just saw me Sunday Night Football? Like that wasn’t PI, but I called it.”

As Nacua observed, referees could make calls even if they know the call is incorrect. He emphasized that the referees are also human beings with pride, just as players.

Nacua and the Rams have had their fair share of disputes over controversial calls made against them this season. The receiver was penalized for taunting in September during a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The penalty negated a 20-yard completion at a critical point in the game. Later in the same contest, a possible pass interference call was overlooked on a long throw to Nacua.

The Rams are gearing up for what may be the most significant game of the regular season. With a chance to win first place in the NFC at stake against Seattle, the last thing the team needs is more attention drawn to their highly touted receiver.

Whether the receiver will face any league action for his remarks is to be seen. Until then, he has certainly caused a stir that has brought more attention to the caliber and motivations of referees at the professional level.

Olamilekan Ajayi

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