The Rams suffered a heartbreaking 33-26 defeat Sunday as they traveled to play the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. L.A. lined up for a last-second field goal to try and win the game, but it was blocked by Philadelphia and returned by defensive tackle Jordan Davis for a touchdown.
Rams top receiver Puka Nacua had a big day with 11 catches for 112 yards, but he was also called for a questionable taunting penalty toward the end of the third quarter after a big third-down reception. After a 20-yard grab, he stood up and flexed before pointing toward the end zone. Seems pretty harmless, right?
Here's the play where Nacua was flagged:
They called Puka Nacua for “taunting” after he pointed toward the end zone.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 21, 2025
I don’t care who your team is… I think we can all agree the NFL’s new taunting rule is hurting what matters most: both the players and the game of football as well. 🤷🏻♂️pic.twitter.com/raWEu9upYW
Maybe the officiating crew thought Nacua was pointing toward a defender, but from the replay you can see the actions aren't in a particular individual's direction. Following the game, the star receiver was asked about the moment and said that the flex which led to the taunting penalty is no different than the usual celebration he does after first-down catches, according to ESPN NFL Nation's Sarah Barshop. Nacua even felt his celebration was similar to one from Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown that wasn't flagged per Barshop.
Safe to say the football world couldn't believe Nacua was flagged for the seemingly normal celebration.
That call on Puka Nacua is one of the worst I've ever seen. Just a total embarrassment
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) September 21, 2025
TAUNTING penalties are ridiculous. This is nothing, a flex by Puka Nacua after a catch. @NFLOfficiating need to scrap taunting & unsportsmanlike conduct immediately. Too much impact on games for a harmless celebration #LARvsPHI #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/AdhXHS4nzF
— nflrefstats (@nflrefstats1) September 21, 2025
Puka Nacua just got a taunting penalty.. for flexing.. pic.twitter.com/qcryK4TTVW
— Monstah Lynch (@MonstahLynch) September 21, 2025
Puka Nacua said his flex that led to a taunting penalty wasn’t any different from what he usually does after first-down catches. Nacua pointed to A.J. Brown’s “big celebration” on third down, saying, “feeling that play’s very similar but just didn't feel like it went both ways.”
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) September 21, 2025
Puka Nacua flexes after every single first down. He has done it on every first down this season.
— Ben Ramsdale (@benaramsdale) September 21, 2025
He gets done for taunting in game three against the Eagles?
The game is so gone. #LARvsPHI
Taunting on Nacua. pic.twitter.com/jP3tynEtX3
— lahornsgear@Horns2016 (@Horns2016) September 21, 2025
Puka Nacua always does that as a first down celebration, that's a weird taunting call
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) September 21, 2025
Puka Nacua, the most chill figure in the NFL, was called for a taunting penalty because during his standard and legal celebration, his shadow dared to grace the jersey of an Eagles defender.
— Brock Vierra (@BrockVierra) September 21, 2025
Give me a break
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Puka Nacua Questions Controversial Taunting Penalty for Flexing After Catch.
