Rams' Nacua dazzles on field, rips refs again to cap chaotic day - ESPN

SEATTLE — Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said he's going to continue to put his arm around Puka Nacua «and help him learn and grow» after the wide receiver went on a livestream Tuesday and made a gesture that has been associated with antisemitic themes.

Nacua issued a statement Thursday morning, apologizing for performing a gesture that was «antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.» In the statement, Nacua said at the time he «had no idea» of the nature of the gesture.

McVay said Nacua «was very apologetic» after the incident and that he doesn't believe the receiver «understood the totality» of what he was doing on the stream.

«I know this guy's heart,» McVay said. «And for anybody that was offended, terribly sorry about that. I know he feels that same exact way. He's a young guy, that'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. But we never want to do things that ever offend anybody, and I know he feels that same way.»

Nacua said in the conversation he had with McVay after the incident that McVay «echoed that he's always in continuous support of me» and that «he's disappointed in some of the actions that are just distracting my teammates.»

«I don't want to be a distraction in any week and especially in a short week,» Nacua said. «So we had talked about that, and he's right there behind me.»

McVay said Thursday night that he didn't think Nacua's comments were a distraction for the team, who lost to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

«No, it wasn't a distraction at all,» McVay said. «He went off today.»

Nacua had 12 catches for 225 yards and two