Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been sued by a woman who alleges he made an antisemitic comment and bit her on the shoulder on New Year's Eve. The civil lawsuit, filed this week in Los Angeles, also cites gender violence and negligence, according to TMZ.
Madison Atiabi and her attorney, Joseph Kar, claim Nacua said 'fuck all Jews' during a New Year's Eve dinner in Los Angeles last year. Atiabi, who is Jewish, said she 'immediately felt uncomfortable and emotionally distressed' by the remark. The lawsuit further alleges Nacua bit her, leaving teeth marks on her shoulder, and also bit a friend's thumb 'with such force that her companion screamed in acute pain'.
Nacua's attorney, Levi McCathern, has strongly denied the antisemitic statements, describing the bites as 'horseplay'. McCathern stated that 'multiple sober witnesses have stated unequivocally that Puka never made the comments Ms Atiabi claims'. He added that Nacua intends to countersue Atiabi for defamation and is 'pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements'.
Nacua previously apologised in December after making a gesture that played upon antisemitic tropes during an internet live stream. The 24-year-old led the NFL with 129 catches last season, amassing 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns, and topped the playoffs with 24 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns. He is eligible for a contract extension that could make him one of the highest-paid receivers in NFL history, though no progress has been announced.
