Sports News Report
League: NFLSport: FootballCountry: United StatesCategory: General

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua discusses alcohol use and NFL pressure

9 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 12:27 PM

Last updated Sep 11, 2026

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua discusses alcohol use and NFL pressure
Summary

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua detailed his personal experience with alcohol as a coping mechanism for the pressures of professional football. In a television interview conducted by Elle Duncan for Netflix Sports, the 25-year-old explained how he sought escapes while adjusting to his rapid emergence as a prominent NFL player. Nacua, who entered the league as a fifth-round draft pick in 2023, spoke about the transition to stardom in Los Angeles. The discussion took place before the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers on September 10, 2026. Beyond his athletic career, Nacua discussed themes of mental health and his role as a father. He expressed a desire to lead a life that serves as a positive example for his son.

Source Links
Yahoo SportsESPN
By the Numbers
  • •Puka Nacua shared his experience with alcohol in a Netflix interview on September 10, 2026.
  • •The interview occurred prior to the matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
  • •Nacua discussed the mental health challenges associated with his rapid rise to NFL stardom.
  • •The receiver stated that his goal is to maintain a life his son can be proud of.
Latest Updates
  • 12:27 PMYahoo Sports — Rams' Puka Nacua acknowledges alcohol issues during 'darkest times' of his life
  • 5:10 AMYahoo Sports — Rams receiver Puka Nacua acknowledges struggles with alcohol in Netflix interview
  • 3:34 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Alcohol was definitely a thing’: Rams star Puka Nacua opens up on what he went through with NFL life
  • 3:30 AMYahoo Sports — Puka Nacua Makes Alcohol ‘Escape’ Revelation Ahead of Rams-49ers Opener
  • 2:38 AMESPN — Rams' Nacua acknowledges 'darkest times' of his life, battle with alcohol
  • 1:20 AMYahoo Sports — Puka Nacua reveals alcohol struggles, rehab stint amid ‘darkest times’ of his life
  • 1:10 AMYahoo Sports — Rams' Puka Nacua opens up about using alcohol to cope with NFL stardom
What they're saying
"

Los Angeles Rams All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua acknowledged in an interview on Netflix that he struggled with alcohol as he dealt with issues ranging from his rise to NFL stardom to the birth of his son. In a pre-taped interview aired before the Rams-49ers game on Thursday night in Australia, Nacua talked with Netflix's Elle Duncan about his experience in rehab during the offseason. “I think, one, alcohol was definitely a thing for me," Nacua said.

"

Puka Nacua offered his clearest explanation yet for why he sought help during a turbulent offseason, revealing that alcohol became one of the ways he tried to cope with the pressure that accompanied his rapid rise to NFL stardom.The Los Angeles Rams star opened up during a Netflix feature aired before Thursday night’s season opener […] The post Puka Nacua Makes Alcohol ‘Escape’ Revelation Ahead of Rams-49ers Opener appeared first on HEAVY.

"

Puka Nacua has opened up about his struggles with alcohol, therapy and rehabilitation ahead of the Los Angeles Rams’ season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne. Speaking to Netflix’s Elle Duncan, Nacua admitted he had used alcohol to escape the pressure building around him as his NFL career took off.

Related Teams & Leagues
San Francisco 49ersLos Angeles RamsCarolina PanthersSeattle SeahawksLos Angeles ChargersNFLFootball

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days