The Los Angeles Rams taking on the Seattle Seahawks on TNF in Week 16 was one of the best games that the NFL has seen all season long. An overtime thriller between the two teams saw it come down to the wire right until the final moment, where a two-point conversion sealed the deal for the Seahawks.
However, a different two-point conversion became the talk of the entire football world after a bizarre set of circumstances helped Seattle narrow the gap with the Rams. Unfortunately, it did not sit well with superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua, who was having the game of his life. He sent out some pointed criticism against the referees that may cost him dearly.
Puka Nacua Looking at Hefty Repercussions
Even though Seattle walked out with a 38-37 victory, the game was as closely contested as it could get. Still, the Rams might feel like they squandered a golden opportunity, especially as they were up 30-14 in the fourth quarter itself.
A Rashid Shaheed punt return touchdown flipped the game on its head, and Seattle did not look back. Trimming the lead to 0, they were able to force overtime, where a touchdown and two-point conversion got them the win and a direct pathway to the one-seed.
However, in the process of trimming the lead, the biggest controversy of the game happened. After a touchdown conversion by AJ Barner, the ensuing two-point conversion was immediately broken up by the Rams.
But when the ball bounced off the Los Angeles defender’s helmet, it counted as a backward pass. As a result, Zach Charbonnet, coincidentally picking up the ball in the end zone before a dead ball was whistled, allowed the Seahawks to add a lucky two points on the board.
With both teams setting up for a kickoff, the decision did not land well in the Rams’ locker room. Unfortunately, Nacua was the one who had the loudest reaction, albeit after the game.
On a night when he had 12 catches for 225 receiving yards and two touchdowns, his tweet after the game became the story. Pointedly calling out the referees, he wrote, “Can you say I was wrong? Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol,” The comments might prove to be costly for him.
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“Players, coaches, and other club personnel must maintain proper respect for Game Officials at all times. Offenses against Game Officials include: (1) physical contact with officials including, but not limited to, punching, pushing, shoving, grabbing, or other intimidating or interfering contact; and (2) verbal or other non-physical abuse of officials, such as profanity and other abusive language or gestures,” the NFL rule book states.
“This policy applies at all game-day locations, including on the playing field, in the bench area, in tunnels, parking lots, and in other stadium passageways. Please note that public criticism by players or club employees of Game Officials or officiating is prohibited and is subject to fines.”
As a result, the number one-ranked player on PFSN’s WR Impact could be looking at some hefty consequences for his actions. What exacerbates the situation for Nacua is the context leading up to the game.
As Ian Rapoport reported before the game, LA had already warned the superstar wide receiver that he could be fined for his actions on a livestream, alongside some pointed criticism of the referees.
Rather than heed the warning, he doubled down on his anger with the officials after the game with his tweet, which could result in a bigger problem for the Rams.
