Rams’ Puka Nacua Faces Backlash After Antisemitic Dance on Adin Ross Livestream

A controversial touchdown celebration on a livestream has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Jewish community, and the political sphere. On Tuesday, Los Angeles Rams wide‑receiver Puka Nacua performed an antisemitic dance during a live stream hosted by popular streamer Adin Ross. Ross guided Nacua through a sequence that culminated in the player looking directly into the camera and rubbing his hands together—a gesture widely recognized as a stereotypical sign of greed. The move, which Ross’s audience refers to as his “iconic Jewish dance”, has sparked immediate outrage.

The Controversial Celebration

The celebration began with Ross encouraging Nacua to mimic a particular motion that he claimed was part of a new touchdown routine. The routine ended with Nacua looking straight into the camera and rubbing his hands together, a gesture that many viewers identified as a caricature of Jewish greed. Ross’s livestream audience, known for their high engagement, reacted with a mixture of applause and disbelief, amplifying the reach of the clip.

Political and Community Backlash

The incident drew swift condemnation from a range of voices, including elected officials. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D‑Calif., posted on X, saying, “Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre,” and added, “And what does this a–hole @AsapPuka do? He promises an antisemitic touchdown dance for his Thursday night game,” Swalwell wrote. He continued, “He should apologize or be dropped.” Swalwell’s comments highlighted the broader concern that the gesture could inflame tensions in a community already on edge.

Player’s Apology and Statement

In response to the backlash, Nacua issued a public apology on Thursday afternoon. He posted a statement to Instagram that began, “When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration,” Nacua wrote. He went on to say, “At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people,” he said. The statement concluded with, “I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people,” Nacua added.

Adin Ross: A History of Controversy

Ross, a major streamer on the Kick platform, has a track record of controversy that predates this incident. In 2023, he was permanently banned from Twitch after using homophobic slurs and displaying racist and anti‑Jewish messages in his live chat. Ross has also shown pornographic images during livestreams and promoted gambling to an audience that includes young boys. With Kick’s fewer rules and restrictions, the platform has become home to many controversial streamers, Ross included. In 2024, Ross gained national attention when he gifted then‑candidate Donald Trump a Tesla Cybertruck and a Rolex watch during a livestream interview, further cementing his role in high‑profile political moments.

Key Takeaways

• Puka Nacua performed an antisemitic touchdown dance on Adin Ross’s livestream, prompting widespread criticism.
• Rep. Eric Swalwell condemned the gesture and urged an apology or removal of the player.
• Nacua apologized, claiming ignorance of the antisemitic nature of the dance and distancing himself from racism and hate.
• Ross’s history of controversy includes a Twitch ban, pornographic content, gambling promotion, and a political gift to Donald Trump.

Conclusion

The incident underscores the power of live‑stream platforms to amplify cultural sensitivities and the responsibility of athletes and influencers to be mindful of the symbols they portray. While Nacua has issued an apology, the broader conversation about antisemitic imagery in sports and entertainment continues to grow, prompting calls for clearer guidelines and accountability across both the NFL and streaming communities.