Puka Nacua denies woman's claim that he made antisemitic comment, but says biting her was 'horseplay'
This is the second time Rams standout wide receiver Puka Nacua has been accused of making antisemitic comments. He denied the latest charge through his attorney.
Rams All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua arrives before an NFL Honors award show in San Francisco in February. (Maddie Knight / Associated Press) Puka Nacua has denied a woman's claim that he made an antisemitic comment, says the Rams wide receiver's attorney. Madison Atiabi made the claim this week in an application for a temporary restraining order obtained by The Times.
Atiabi asserted in the court filing that during a group New Year's Eve dinner, Nacua said “f— all the Jews ... in a manner audible to [her] and others at the table. " Atiabi added that Nacua's "vulgar, threatening, violent and harassing conduct" escalated as the evening progressed.
After dinner, Atiabi said she was in a car with Nacua and others when the Rams star bit her on the left shoulder, leaving a substantial bite mark that was photographed. Nacua also is alleged to have bitten the thumb of Atiabi's friend "so forcefully that she screamed in pain," according to the filing. Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, said he has spoken to witnesses — including other Rams players who were present — who didn’t hear Nacua make the antisemitic statement.
He also said the bite was innocent "horseplay. " "Puka denies these allegations in the strongest possible terms," McCathern said. "We will pursue all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements.