Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after catching a pass against the Arizona Cardinals.
Puka Nacua got a small victory on Friday, when attorneys for a woman who has accused the Los Angeles Rams star of biting her announced that they have withdrawn their petition for a temporary restraining order.
It is one step in an ongoing legal matter, which comes as Nacua enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Nacua’s camp has since responded to the decision.
Puka Nacua’s Lawyer Maintains Stance on Claims Against Rams Star
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before the NFC Wild Card Game against the Carolina Panthers.
TMZ reported on the TRO’s withdrawal, with TMZ Sports executive producer Michael Babcock following up soon after with Nacua’s lawyer’s defense of the Rams’ star.
“The TRO was withdrawn because it was completely meritless – just like the lawsuit,” Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, said, per Backcock on March 27. “They continue to make up stories trying to turn this minor episode into big dollars. In the end, they are going to be paying Puka and not the other way around.”
TMZ shared a video of Nacua sleeping as his accuser, Madison Atiabi, danced nearby.
TMZ Sports
🚨 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.
Atiabi’s attorney, Joseph Kar, told TMZ that the dancing occurred “hours after” the alleged biting. It resulted in teeth imprints and led to the lawsuit against Nacua. That lawsuit remains active, despite Atiabi’s side’s decision to withdraw their TRO request.
McCathern has called the lawsuit a “shakedown,” a characterization Kar rejected. Kar also accused Nacua’s camp of inflammatory remarks that have resulted in threats toward Atiabi.
Puka Nacua’s Camp Set to Follow Through
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after defeating the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
McCathern has not denied that the biting took place, but did shoot down claims that Nacua made antisemitic remarks.
Moreover, McCathern’s remarks about potential retaliatory actions have been part of the plan.
“In the months that followed [the alleged incident], our office was contacted with demands for millions of dollars in exchange for not publicizing these allegations. That is not a legitimate legal claim-it is blackmail,” McCathern said in a statement, which Babcock shared on March 26, adding that the parties continued their evening together.
“Puka denies these allegations in the strongest possible terms. We will be filing a defamation lawsuit and pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements.”
McCarthern pointed to Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s historic extension and Nacua’s eligibility as significant elements in the Rams star’s legal battle.
Puka Nacua Sparks Polarized Reactions
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams before a game against the Houston Texans.
Nacua’s extension was already expected to come later in the offseason, which put him and the Rams in the spotlight.
The lawsuit has opened him up to outside commentary, with some showing support.
Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy defended Nacua as being young and rich during the March 24 episode of “Speakeasy,” saying, “What’s too much fun?” However, he advised the receiver to “tone it down a little bit.”
Rapper Cam’Ron urged Nacua to seek out Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who infamously had his own off-field issues to overcome, during his “It Is What It Is” podcast.
Nacua has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
The Rams have known about this situation for months. That has sparked some speculation that their rumored trade interest in Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown was merely a tactic to get Nacua in check.
Nacua is set to rewrite the Rams’–and quite possibly the league’s–record books on his next contract.