Puka Nacua’s 2025 season was statistically brilliant. He led the NFL with 129 receptions and recorded 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His 96.3 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade was the highest ever recorded for a wide receiver and the best among all 81 qualifying players at his position.
His impressive performance helped the Los Angeles Rams achieve a 12–5 regular-season record. Although they finished second in their division, they made a deep playoff run that ultimately ended with a 31–27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
Instead of negotiating a record-setting contract extension, Nacua is facing a civil lawsuit for assault, battery, and antisemitic remarks, with his attorney denying the claims and characterizing the alleged biting as “horseplay”.
It took a turn when new footage from the night of the alleged incident went viral. Fans lost their mind after video footage showed a woman dancing near a passed-out Nacua, which his legal team argues is inconsistent with the allegations.
NFL fans go wild after shocking Puka Nacua biting scandal footage goes viral
The chaos stems from a New Year’s Eve outing in Los Angeles. A woman named Madison Atiabi filed a request for a temporary restraining order against Nacua over an alleged incident that occurred on December 31 during a group outing in L.A.’s Century City neighborhood.
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) looks on before the 2026 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) looks on before the 2026 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
She claimed that in a van later that night, Nacua bit her friend’s thumb hard enough to cause pain and then bit Atiabi on the shoulder, breaking the skin. Nacua’s lawyer, Levi McCathern, admitted a bite happened but called it “horseplay.” He specifically called the lawsuit a “shakedown attempt” for millions of dollars.
Shortly after the legal filings became public, a video surfaced showing Nacua passed out in the van while Atiabi appeared to be partying and twerking near him.|
This shockingfootage shared by TMZ reinforces McCathern’s claim that the accuser was not in fear or distress following the alleged “violent” incident. His statement that the case was “not sexual in nature” and lacked evidence of real injury gains context from the video, which depicts a celebratory rather than threatening environment
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: New video from the night of Puka Nacua’s biting incident shows his accuser twerking near the passed-out NFL superstar’s face — and our sources say it happened AFTER he sank his teeth into her back. pic.twitter.com/JAGVE6IHHh
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) March 25, 2026
But fans can’t believe their eyes that the Rams receiver literally passed out after whatever happened between him and the woman.
“I wonder what went down, how does a grown MAN bite a woman’s back?!” one userwrote.
Anotheradded, “So it was a money grab after all.”
A thirdposted, “Nah bruh how are you a grown a– man and passed out in front of some hoes 🤣”
One fanpenned, “Don’t people learn from that Trevor Bauer situation where that skank set him up.”
A fifth oneadded, “It’s the off season. Work hard, party hard. Whohooo!”
However, a Los Angeles judge rejected the application for a temporary restraining order against Puka Nacua, though a hearing is set for April 14.
Nacua’s rookie contract runs through the 2026 season. However, the market for top receivers just shifted after Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168 million extension. The Rams’ front office will likely wait for more clarity on Nacua’s legal situation before offering him a record-breaking deal of his own.