Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is facing a lawsuit from a woman who alleges he made an antisemitic remark and physically assaulted her on New Year’s Eve 2025. The plaintiff, Madison Atiabi, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County, citing assault, battery, negligence, and gender violence. The incident reportedly occurred in Century City, where Atiabi claims Nacua said, 'f*ck all the Jews,' before biting her shoulder and a friend’s thumb in a vehicle later that night.
Atiabi’s lawsuit alleges that Nacua’s actions left a circular bite mark on her shoulder and caused her friend to scream in pain. A temporary restraining order was denied, but a hearing is scheduled for April 14. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, including medical expenses and emotional distress.
Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them 'blackmail' and describing the biting as 'horseplay.' McCathern claims Nacua never made the antisemitic remark and that witnesses, including other Rams players, support this. He also stated that Nacua intends to file a defamation lawsuit against Atiabi.
This is not the first time Nacua has faced scrutiny over antisemitic behavior. In December 2025, he apologized for performing an antisemitic gesture during a livestream with YouTuber Adin Ross. The gesture, which involved rubbing his hands together, was criticized as perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Nacua later stated he was unaware of the gesture’s connotations and apologized.
The Rams organization has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. If the allegations are proven, they could have significant implications for Nacua’s career and reputation.