Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) on Thursday called Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua an “a**hole” for promising to do an antisemitic touchdown dance.
Nacua promised streamer Adin Ross on a livestream that he’d do a dance called the “covetous Jew,” and did it for his viewers. The dance involved the wide receiver pretending to spin a football, flex, and then rub his hands together, a gesture seen as imitating a greedy Jewish person.
Swalwell, who is running to be California’s next governor, said Nacua should apologize or be “dropped.”
“The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre. And what does this asshole @AsapPuka do? He promises an antisemitic touchdown dance for his Thursday night game. He should apologize or be dropped,” he wrote on X.
Nacua has since apologized, noting he did not know the dance was antisemitic.
“When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration. At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people,” he wrote in a statement with a Stand Up to Jewish Hate logo.
Stand Up to Jewish Hate is an ad campaign by the Blue Square Alliance, founded by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
“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,” Nacua added.
The NFL released a statement responding to the Nacua controversy by slamming antisemitism: “The NFL strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed towards any group or individual. The continuing rise of antisemitism must be addressed across the world, and the NFL will continue to stand with our partners in this fight. Hatred has no place in our sport or society.”
Nacua is a highly successful receiver in football’s best league. In just three seasons, he’s accumulated more than 4,000 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns. He’s a key piece on the Rams, who are Super Bowl contenders.
Jewish people have been victims of numerous instances of antisemitic violence in recent years, including the Bondi Beach shooting, which took place at a Hanukkah celebration. Two shooters, a father-son duo, killed 15 people. The father was killed during the attack, and his son was critically injured.
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It’s unclear if Nacua will face punishment for his action.
The Rams play the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football this week.
