Star Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has been sued by a woman who says he made an antisemitic statement and bit her on the shoulder on New Year’s Eve.
The civil lawsuit was filed this week in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. The suit also cites gender violence and negligence.
Madison Atiabi and her attorney, Joseph Kar, claim Nacua said “fuck all Jews” during a New Year’s Eve dinner in Los Angeles last year. Atiabi is Jewish and says she “immediately felt uncomfortable and emotionally distressed” when the wide receiver made the comments. She says Nacua also bit her and left teeth marks on her shoulder later in the night. The lawsuit also alleges that Nacua bit Atiabi’s friend on the thumb “with such force that her companion screamed in acute pain”.
Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, has strongly denied Nacua made any antisemitic statements. He described the bites as “horseplay”.
McCathern said in a statement that “multiple sober witnesses have stated unequivocally that Puka never made the comments Ms Atiabi claims”.
McCathern added that Nacua intends to sue Atiabi for defamation, and his client is “pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements”.
Nacua had previously issued an apology last December after performing a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes while appearing on an internet live stream.
Nacua led the league with 129 catches last season while racking up 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns before leading the NFL again with 24 catches for 332 yards and two TDs in the playoffs.
The 24-year-old is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Rams this offseason that undoubtedly would make him one of the highest-paid receivers in NFL history, but the Rams haven’t announced any progress on a new deal.
