Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday began with an apology and ended with more controversial remarks.

In between, he had a career-best performance. 

After catching 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua once again expressed his frustration with how NFL referees handled the game.

Nacua previously suggested game officials shared similarities to attorneys. The remarks came after the third-year wideout claimed some referees throw flags during games to ramp up their camera time.

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After the Seahawks 38-37 win propelled Seattle to the top spot in the NFC standings, Nacua took a veiled shot at the game’s officials. 

“Can you say i was wrong. Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol,” he wrote on X.

The Pro Bowler added that his statement on X was made in “a moment of frustration after a tough, intense game like that.”

RAMS STAR PUKA NACUA ACCUSES REFS OF MAKING UP CALLS TO GET ON TV: ‘THE WORST’

“It was just a lack of awareness and just some frustration,” Nacua said. “I know there were moments where I feel like, ‘Man, you watch the other games and you think of the calls that some guys get and you wish you could get some of those.’ But that’s just how football has played, and I’ll do my job in order to work my technique to make sure that there’s not an issue with the call.”

But, this time, Nacua’s criticism resulted in a hefty fine. The league issued a $25,000 penalty, according to NFL Network. 

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs with the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle.  (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Nacua had expressed aggravation on social media just days after the 24-year-old asserted during a livestream appearance with internet personalities Adin Ross and N3on that “the refs are the worst.”

“Some of the rules aren’t … these guys want to be … these guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too,” Nacua said, per ESPN. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on “Sunday Night Football.” That wasn’t P.I., but I called it.'”

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle.  (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

On Thursday, reporters asked Nacua if he wanted to clarify his stance on the suggestion referees actively seek being in front of cameras during games. 

“No, I don’t,” he replied.

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Also on Thursday, Nacua apologized for performing a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes.

“I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people,” the receiver said in an Instagram post. “I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”

Rams coach Sean McVay dismissed the idea that all the off-field chatter surrounding Nacua was a distraction leading up to Los Angeles’ clash with its NFC West division rival. 

“It wasn’t a distraction at all,” McVay said. “Did you think his play showed he was distracted? I didn’t think so either. He went off today.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ecuadorian police have arrested two suspects in the killing of soccer player Mario Pineida, who was shot in an attack this week that also killed his partner and wounded his mother, underscoring the rising violence in the Andean nation.

The 33-year-old Barcelona de Guayaquil defender and former national soccer team player was shot and killed on Wednesday. Latin American soccer clubs and fans have since mourned his death.

Ecuador’s prosecutor’s office said on Friday on X that suspects Cristian P.G. and Jimnery P.B appeared before a judge, who then ordered their so-called preventive arrests, based on the judge’s understanding that there’s enough evidence against them as well as a risk of them fleeing from justice.

Police said the shooting attack took place in Samanes, a northern neighborhood of the coastal city of Guayaquil, some 265 kilometers (165 miles) southwest of the capital, Quito.

Security camera footage from the scene shows Pineida and his partner leaving a butcher shop and then being shot by two men, one wearing a motorcycle helmet and the other a cap. Local authorities have not released the name of Pineida’s partner.

Pineida played eight games for Ecuador but was not part of the team qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. His last game for Ecuador was at the 2021 Copa América, as a late substitute in a group-stage game against Brazil. He also played in the 2017 edition.

In November, a 16-year-old soccer player of Independiente del Valle died from a stray bullet, also in Guayaquil. Two months earlier, Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yépez, both players of Exapromo Costa, and Jonathan González, of 22 de Junio died from gunshot wounds.

The College Football Playoff is as big a stage as you’ll find in the sport — a stage on which eight teams will be performing across four games Friday and Saturday as part of the competition’s first round.

Fittingly, participating teams will bring their A-game in the uniform department, with the national spotlight settling on their program for the weekend. Oregon — unsurprisingly given its seemingly unending closet of thread combinations — is setting the bar with a strong green look. Oklahoma is rocking their iconic crimson jerseys. Other programs are putting their best foot forward with icy white combinations or spiced-up traditional home uniforms with CFP bling.

Here’s what every team will be wearing in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Oregon

Going Green.

CFP First Round uni combo for the Ducks. Wear green on Saturday!#GoDucks x @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/rmR7VodQLS

— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 18, 2025

https://t.co/DsGg8ZKCTd pic.twitter.com/0gTkAHpXLU

— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) December 18, 2025

The details🪡 pic.twitter.com/D123bOYWc6

— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) December 17, 2025

First Round threads ⚪️🪡#GoCanes | @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/BIw4XClJAW

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) December 18, 2025

Deck The Vaught 🎄🎅#CFBPlayoff x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/XWQV0nyS8T

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 19, 2025

A classic photoshoot for a classic look#RollWave x #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/E4Hz2xYKuM

— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) December 18, 2025

Oklahoma

24 hours 🕖@GracenHalton1 | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/niz1HKAzkX

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 19, 2025

Gameday READY 🔥#CFBPlayoff | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/Xl2coHPBUb

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 19, 2025