Puka Nacua responds to his hefty fine from the NFL

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua seems to have been taught a lesson by the NFL.

Nacua was fined $25,000 for his recent comments about league officiating. On Friday, he reflected on the fine and admitted he had a lot to learn from the experience.

“That one, it definitely hurt,” Nacua said, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I think it was something I was expecting. It was a learning moment and an experience to learn from and to never let happen again. There are going to be moments of frustration later on in my career whether it’s ups and downs on my personal half or on the team’s half so being able to manage those emotions and send that energy in the right direction.”

Nacua initially got himself in hot water by suggesting that some referees throw flags just to be on television. He doubled down after a tough loss to the Seattle Seahawks, which only made things worse for him.

Every player gets frustrated with officials at times, and Nacua is no different. Most, however, know to keep their frustrations private instead of airing them publicly. Doing it Nacua’s way is not going to gain him any sympathy from officials, whether he is right or wrong.

Nacua is still on a rookie contract and is slated to earn roughly $1.03 million this season. Taking $25,000 out of that is not necessarily a huge deal, but it will certainly sting him more than it would some of his teammates who make far more.