Wide receiver Makea “Puka” Nacua scored the game winning touchdown for the Los Angeles Rams during their game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The game had been pushed into overtime with the Rams and the Colts tied 23-23. Nacua, who is Samoan American, caught a pass from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for 22-yard walk-off touchdown that won the Rams the game, Sports Illustrated reports.
The 22-year-old rookie ended the night with 163 yards and nine receptions. According to ESPN, his 39 catches and 501 receiving yards are the most of any rookie player in their first four career games in NFL history.
“I’m just trying to do my job,” Nacua said after reporters per ESPN asked if he could maintain his high stats. “So whenever No. 9 throws the ball my way, I’m super happy because I know he’s making my job as easy as it could be.”
In an 2019 interview with Hawaii Prep World, Nacua explained his family nicknamed him Puka.
“In Samoan, it means fat and chubby. It’s from when I was a baby and it kind of stuck. Going up through school, everybody knows me as Puka even though I slimmed out,” he said.
Nacua grew in Orem, Utah, and played college football at BYU. He was just a fifth round draft pick in 2023 but has been making a name for himself in the NFL.
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