Within the aftermath of a doubtlessly season-changing loss Thursday night time, Sean McVay didn’t have time to scroll social media and see his star receiver popped off earlier than the coach spoke to the media.
The Rams’ coach had a tense and awkward trade after the crushing 38-37 time beyond regulation loss to Seattle after being requested a few since-deleted postgame tweet ripping the refs by star receiver Puka Nacua.
Nacua, who criticized NFL referees earlier this week and apologized Thursday afternoon for doing an anti-semitic dance on a livestream, posted proper after the sport: “Are you able to say I used to be incorrect. Respect you stripes in your contribution. Lol.”
When a reporter requested concerning the tweet, McVay sternly interjected: “What are you speaking about?”
The person defined that Nacua had tweeted, and McVay once more supplied one other curt response: “So, what are you asking me proper now?”
The reporter barely received a phrase out earlier than McVay once more reduce him off, stating: “I can’t reply your questions on one thing that I’m not conscious of.”
The reporter lastly requested a full follow-up query to McVay, asking him if he had any points along with his gamers expressing their frustration in such a fashion or if he would favor they do it different methods.
“I received to have extra data earlier than I reply these varieties of questions,” McVay stated.
Given the tight timing between the top of the dramatic sport and the press convention, it’s not beautiful that McVay was unaware of Nacua’s tweet.
Regardless of the explanation for the confusion, although, it made for an uncommon sequence in a press convention that featured different questions on Nacua’s latest conduct.
Nacua, who did all he may to hold the Rams with a 12-catch, 225-yard, two-touchdown efficiency, made headlines for all of the incorrect causes main into the sport.
On a livestream with Adin Ross, Nacua referred to as out the league’s officers.
“The refs are the worst. These guys are attorneys,” Nacua stated. “They need to be on TV too, bro. You don’t suppose he’s texting his pals within the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys simply noticed me on ‘Sunday Night time Soccer.’ Like, that wasn’t (move interference), however I referred to as it.’”
He additionally participated in a dance that’s deemed antisemitic and stated he would do it after his subsequent landing, earlier than apologizing after realizing the offensive connotation.
“Once I appeared the opposite day on a social media livestream, it was recommended to me to carry out a selected motion as a part of my subsequent landing celebration,” Nacua stated in an announcement. “On the time, I had no thought this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated dangerous stereotypes in opposition to Jewish folks.
“I deeply apologize to anybody who was offended by my actions as I don’t stand for any type of racism, bigotry or hate of one other group of individuals.”
McVay stated Nacua was “very apologetic” for his actions this week.
“I don’t suppose he understood the totality of a number of the issues, I feel he issued the apology,” McVay stated. “I do know this man’s coronary heart, and for anyone that was offended, terribly sorry about that. I do know he feels that very same actual manner. He’s a younger man, that’s an excellent child that’s persevering with to study simply the platform that he has. I really like him, we’re going to proceed to place our arm round him and assist him study and develop. However we by no means need to do issues that ever offend anyone, and I do know he feels that very same manner.”
McVay later stated that he didn’t discover the state of affairs to be a distraction, even asking the reporter if Nacua’s efficiency indicated any kind of disturbance.
The third-year receiver set his career-high along with his 225 receiving yards.
“I didn’t suppose so both,” McVay stated. “He went off as we speak.”
Nacua defined that his tweet stemmed from a “a second of frustration after a troublesome, intense sport like that, simply pondering of the alternatives that I may have finished higher to take it out of their palms.”
The 24-year-old additionally added that he doesn’t actually imagine his feedback from earlier within the week that referees make calls since they’re on tv.
Nacua appreciated that his coach had his again however acknowledged that he acquired some powerful love for inflicting some points earlier than a crucial sport.
“There’s a time and place for some issues and there are feedback that I ought to undoubtedly say to the blokes within the locker room and to concentrate on the state of affairs that we’re in,” Nacua stated of the lesson discovered, “however then additionally simply to remain and use each second to arrange for the week.”
The Rams (11-4) not management their destiny within the NFC West, sitting one sport behind the Seahawks (12-3) and within the No. 5 spot within the NFC playoffs.
Los Angeles has already clinched a playoff spot and finishes the season with the non-contending Falcons and Cardinals, whereas the Seahawks face playoff contenders within the Panthers and 49ers.
