Rams receiver Puka Nacua discusses rehab and stress amid pending lawsuit
Puka Nacua said a holistic rehabilitation program helped him confront personal stress, including alcohol use, as he faces a civil lawsuit and the final year of his rookie contract.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua spoke with Elle Duncan of Netflix before the team’s season-opening game against the San Francisco 49ers, describing a recent period of personal difficulty. He said he had spent time in a holistic rehabilitation center after recognizing that he was avoiding conflict and using alcohol to cope with stress.
"I think I learned that I’m very avoidant of conflict," Nacua said, adding that the pressures of becoming a public figure, performing at a high level and navigating co-parenting with his 10-month-old son’s mother contributed to his isolation.
He acknowledged that drinking was a way to “drown” his problems, but noted that the rehabilitation program allowed him to have open and honest conversations about his challenges.
Nacua is currently involved in a civil lawsuit and has begun a diversion program that could trigger NFL disciplinary action under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy. The legal matter coincides with the final year of his rookie contract, which is valued at $5.767 million, significantly less than the contracts of some peers.
The player’s physical style of play, which carries a higher injury risk, adds further pressure on the Rams as they manage his on-field contributions and off-field issues.