Puka Nacua’s name has been coming up for the wrong reasons this offseason. The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver has been connected to two incidents involving alcohol, and both have drawn plenty of attention.
The first happened in San Francisco during Super Bowl week. Footage showed Nacua stumbling through the street and dancing after he left a party. The second was more troubling. Madison Atiabi filed for a restraining order on March 24, alleging that Nacua bit her on New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles after getting drunk. She dropped the petition for the restraining order days later. She also filed a civil suit, according to TMZ.
Puka Nacua enters rehab amid biting allegation
Now, the two-time Pro Bowler has entered a rehab program in wake of the Dec. 31 incident.
According to the NY Post’s Edward Lewis, Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, confirmed Wednesday that the Los Angeles Rams receiver is currently staying at a high-end treatment facility in Malibu.
McCathern made it clear the move wasn’t simply a reaction to Atiabi’s lawsuit. He admitted the wave of reports and public attention has been a factor, but said Nacua had already been receiving treatment “a substantial period of time” before the allegations became public.
Attorney explains Puka Nacua rehab decision
The plan now is for him to continue his stay for the foreseeable future.
From a legal standpoint, McCathern is positioning this as more than just crisis management. He said the focus is on helping Nacua address his behavior in every part of his life, not just responding to outside criticism.