Puka Nacua is now a powerful power in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams as a wide receiver, but his luck leads him to cry sooner than games. Here's why.

The Gist:

• Puka Nacua is a large receiver drafted via the L.A. Rams in 2023.
• He used to be inspired by means of his father to play football in the NFL. He died again in 2012.
• His feelings have no longer long past not noted through the NFL and social media.

Debuting for the L.A. Rams in 2023, Puka Nacua has been showing the NFL why he is greater than only a spherical 5 draft select. He's made play after and play, and in a Rams YouTube video from Oct. 13, 2023, NFL analyst Brian Baldinger calls him "the number one rookie" for the first five games of the season.

Puka attended the University of Washington, and later performed for Brigham Young University from 2021-2022. He opted to join the 2023 draft reasonably than attend BYU for his senior yr, and this choice ultimately worked in his choose. However, if it wasn't for his father, he might not be in the position where he's today — and it's this idea that serves up sturdy feelings ahead of or after every game.

Puka cries every game because of his dad.

Born Makea Nacua, Puka was once raised in Provo, Utah by Penina and the late Lionel Nacua. He is the more youthful brother of USFL player Kai Nacua and former NFL participant Samson Nacua. Family is outwardly a huge part of his existence, and even majored in circle of relatives lifestyles while nonetheless attending BYU.

Puka's dad Lionel had a heavy impact on all of the Nacua men — and a passion for football used to be part of that.

The brothers venerated their dad through enjoying football at BYU after being pushed by him to watch game tapes somewhat than cartoons. Their dad additionally hinted that the NFL was once in Puka's long term.

His dad sadly was not right here to observe that change into a truth. Lionel kicked the bucket at age 45 after suffering from headaches related to diabetes when the NFL participant was once handiest 10 years old.

Puka's emotions have received over the hearts of social media.

People on TikTok have posted movies of Puka getting emotional right through his NFL games, and are clearly touched. Remarking on one TikTok video, commenters requested what the explanation why at the back of his tears are — and they have gotten solutions from fans.

"He cries before every game because he's living out his dream and his dad isn't there to see it," mentioned one TikToker.

Other feedback have additionally featured his grandmother, with one user even pronouncing that he allegedly transferred to BYU from Washington because his grandmother "got diagnosed with cancer." Since that comment was once made, a number of other folks have replied to it, pronouncing things like, "bro shut up that is not right," and, "Not even why it's his dad."

His mother Penina spoke with the New York Post on Oct. 7, 2023 about how close Puka and her past due husband have been, and that she's accomplished the whole thing she will to keep Lionel's spirit alive in their hearts.

“I at all times remind my youngsters not to let their dad’s loss of life pass in vain as a result of he worked so onerous for you guys,” Penina stated, including they will have to “take into account that in all that they're doing and pursuing.”

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