Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua sparked controversy after performing an antisemitic touchdown celebration on Adin Ross’ livestream on Tuesday.
The Incident
During the livestream, Ross guided Nacua through a celebration that ended with the player looking into the camera and rubbing his hands together – a gesture Ross’ fans call his “iconic Jewish dance.” Ross later asked Nacua to perform the same celebration during the Rams’ Thursday night game against the Seattle Seahawks, and the player promised he would.
Political Response
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D‑Calif., expressed concern on X, writing, “The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre,” and added, “He should apologize or be dropped.” Swalwell also questioned the player’s commitment to an antisemitic touchdown dance for the Thursday night game.
Nacua’s Apology
Nacua addressed the incident on Thursday afternoon, apologizing and claiming he was unaware of the antisemitic nature of the dance. In a statement posted to Instagram he wrote, “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,” and continued, “At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people,”. He added, “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.”
Adin Ross Background
Ross, a major streamer on the Kick platform, has faced controversy before. In 2023 he was permanently banned from Twitch for using homophobic slurs and displaying racist and anti‑Jewish messages from his live chat. He has also shown pornographic images during his livestreams and promoted gambling to an audience that includes young boys. In 2024 Ross gained political attention when he gifted then‑candidate Donald Trump a Tesla Cybertruck and a Rolex watch during a livestream interview.
Key Takeaways
- Puka Nacua performed an antisemitic celebration on Adin Ross’ livestream and promised to repeat it during a Rams game.
- Rep. Eric Swalwell demanded an apology or dismissal of the player.
- Nacua apologized, claiming ignorance of the dance’s antisemitic meaning.
The controversy highlights the intersection of sports, social media influence, and political backlash over hateful content.
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