Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has issued a public apology after taking part in an antisemitic touchdown celebration during a livestream appearance that quickly sparked backlash across social media and political circles.

Nacua appeared Tuesday on Adin Ross’ livestream, where the streamer encouraged him to mimic a gesture that involved rubbing his hands together while staring into the camera. The move, which Ross’ online community refers to as an “iconic Jewish dance”, plays into longstanding antisemitic stereotypes tied to greed.

During the broadcast, Ross went a step further and asked Nacua to repeat the gesture if he scored a touchdown during the Rams’ Thursday night matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Nacua initially agreed, a moment that circulated widely and drew swift criticism.

Backlash Builds After Livestream Appearance

Rams Receiver Puka Nacua Apologizes After Antisemitic Gesture on Livestream
The criticism erupted from the ‘dance’ introduced by Adin Ross.

Reaction intensified in the hours following the stream, with critics accusing the NFL star of promoting antisemitic imagery at a time of heightened sensitivity within Jewish communities. Among those condemning the incident was Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, who addressed the controversy directly on X, calling for accountability and an apology.

The criticism placed immediate pressure on Nacua to respond, especially as clips from the livestream continued to spread online ahead of the Rams’ upcoming game.

Nacua Issues Public Apology

On Thursday afternoon, Nacua released a written apology, addressing the situation and distancing himself from the intent behind the gesture. In a statement shared on Instagram, he said the movement was suggested to him during the livestream and that he did not understand its antisemitic meaning at the time.

Nacua wrote that he was unaware the act perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people and said he deeply regretted his participation. He added that he does not support racism, bigotry, or hatred toward any group and apologized to anyone who was offended by his actions.

The incident also renewed scrutiny of Ross, a high-profile streamer on the Kick platform who has a long history of controversy. Ross was permanently removed from Twitch in 2023 after repeatedly using slurs and allowing racist and anti-Jewish content to surface during streams. Since moving to Kick, he has continued to draw attention for provocative content and political stunts, including gifting Donald Trump a Tesla Cybertruck and a Rolex during a livestream interview in 2024.

While Nacua’s apology appeared to defuse immediate tension, the episode has reignited broader conversations about influencer culture, accountability, and how public figures engage with online personalities whose audiences thrive on provocation.