Los Angeles Rams

12:31 PM PT -- Puka Nacua was just hit with a hefty punishment for criticizing refs this week ... as he was just fined $25,000 over the controversial comments.

Another day, and Puka Nucua is back in hot water ... this time after taking a shot at the referees on social media after the Rams' 38-37 loss on Thursday Night Football, only to quickly delete the post!

The Rams' star receiver -- who had a huge game on the field -- posted the message on X just a few minutes after his Rams squad lost to the Seahawks on a two-point conversion in overtime, which didn't come without controversy thanks to a ruling on the play that resulted in points for Seattle.

"Can you say I was wrong. Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol." Puka wrote, referencing something he recently said during his stream with Adin Ross, where he accused refs of making calls simply to get some TV airtime.

Adin Ross is speaking out on the backlash Puka Nacua faced after his controversial stream appearance ... saying the idea to do what many considered an antisemitic dance was all his -- and he's allowed to make those jokes because he's Jewish.

Ross spoke about the matter outside the UFC headquarters on Thursday night ... in an attempt to take the heat off the Rams superstar, who apologized earlier in the day for his actions.

"To all the people on Twitter going at Puka, I did that," Ross said. "I'm Jewish, you know. It's the same way that my Mexican brother here will crack Mexican jokes, I can stereotype a dude, do my own Jewish sh*t."

11:13 AM PT -- Puka Nacua just issued an apology for his actions ... saying he had "no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people."

"I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people," Nacua said minutes ago.

Nacua shared his apology in a blue box -- which is in alliance with the Stand Up to Jewish Hate campaign.

Puka Nacua is in a ton of hot water after his appearance on Adin Ross' recent stream ... with a well-known California politician ripping the Rams star as an "a***hole" for vowing to do an antisemitic touchdown dance on "Thursday Night Football."

The former BYU receiver was a guest on the popular streamer's Kick channel earlier this week ... and at one point in the convo, the two discussed how No. 12 would celebrate his next score.

Ross -- who is Jewish -- suggested that after Nacua spins the ball and flexes his muscles, he should bend over and wring his hands together, a gesture often used as an antisemitic stereotype to portray Jewish people as greedy.

Is Matthew Stafford a Hall of Famer?? If you ask his favorite target in Detroit, Calvin Johnson, we will absolutely see the quarterback in Canton one day ... but he tells TMZ Sports an MVP trophy on his résumé solidifies his chances.

We spoke with Johnson amid one of Stafford's best seasons ... and he said the game "looks easy to him right now."

"He's playing good football. He has some great receivers around him. Seems like the offensive line is doing a great job as well."

If Cardi B and Ciara ever need help with their Sunday wardrobe choices, a celebrity fashion designer says she's one phone call away -- telling TMZ Sports she's ready to make the musicians a similar 'fit to the one she just commissioned for Kash Doll!!

The rap star wore an exclusive Philadelphia Eagles corset last week to rep her boyfriend, Za'Darius Smith, at his game against the L.A. Rams ... and the fashion statement was quite popular with folks on social media.

The designer, Mercedes, tells TMZ Sports her DMs have been flooded with requests since Kash's notable look ... and she hopes to create enough buzz to get Cardi and Ciara's attention next.

Eric Dickerson made it crystal clear this week he's no fan of the Cleveland Browns ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks "they're horrible" -- and he wishes Shedeur Sanders ended up elsewhere.

The Hall of Fame running back minced no words during a chat with us at LAX ... saying he can't stand that the Browns were the ones who ultimately picked the younger Sanders in April's NFL draft.

He told us Cleveland is "a bad football team" with a track record of messing up QBs ... and he admitted he's hoping the org. will eventually just let Shedeur go to another franchise.

The Los Angeles Rams are a solid bet to be in Super Bowl LX, so says Kurt Warner, who tells TMZ Sports as long as Matthew Stafford stays healthy, they've got a real shot at winning it all!!

We asked the Hall of Famer all about his old team at LAX before the 2025-26 NFL season kicks off on September 4 ... and it's safe to say he's drinking the blue and gold-colored Kool-Aid.

"I think they got a great shot this year," Warner said confidently before backing his stance.

It's been about a month since Puka Nacua's brother, Samson Nacua, slapped a fan following a UFL game ... and now he's telling TMZ Sports the advice he gave his older bro after the ugly incident.

We caught up with the L.A. Rams star at LAX ... where we asked him about the counsel he provided 27-year-old Samson after the late April incident.

"Try to be able to compose yourself," Puka said. "You want to always protect yourself and your teammates. That's something my mom raised me in. But you shouldn't cross that line for sure."

The "tush push" isn't goin' anywhere anytime soon ... and legendary offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth tells TMZ Sports he has no issue with the controversial play!

"If everybody was good at it, everybody would be doing it," Andrew said at LAX ... just moments after a measure to ban the play fell short by just a couple votes at league meetings.

AW doesn't believe the play provides an unfair advantage ... pointing out that the Eagles are just damn good at it -- and others need to get on their level.

Mother's Day had an extra special meaning at Puka Nacua's house ... 'cause the star wide receiver's girlfriend revealed the couple is expecting their first child!

Hallie Aiono shared the exciting news on Instagram, posting that the two are preparing to welcome a baby boy into the world.

While they didn't reveal the due date ... with the two already confirming the gender, it's fair to assume Aiono's at least halfway through the pregnancy.

Start molding the bronze bust and measuring lengths for the gold jacket ... according to Quentin Lake, Matthew Stafford will "easily" be a Hall of Famer whenever he decides to retire from the NFL.

Lake -- who's been the L.A. quarterback's teammate since 2022 -- made no bones about it during a sit-down with TMZ Sports this week ... saying straight up Stafford is "100 percent" an HOFer.

The 26-year-old defensive back explained he's gotten to see Stafford up-close at practices weekly for the last three years ... and he just knows there aren't many who have ever played the game at a higher-level.

L.A. Rams star Quentin Lake is passing along some advice to Shedeur Sanders ... and given how similar the guys' NFL draft experiences were -- Deion's son would be wise to listen up.

The 26-year-old defensive back delivered a pump-up speech of sorts to the Cleveland Browns rookie just ahead of his first-ever pro practice on Friday ... and Lake made it clear, Sanders can find success as a late-round pick with a famous dad, just as he once did.

Lake -- the son of former All-Pro Carnell Lake -- went in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft ... but he was able to go on to become a team captain and one of his squad's best players.

Puka Nacua's brother, Samson Nacua, has more than just the UFL investigation to worry about after he slapped a fan at Saturday's game -- St. Louis Police tell TMZ Sports they are currently looking into the matter.

A spokesperson says the department is aware of the video from the St. Louis Battlehawks game on Saturday ... which shows Samson, who plays for the Michigan Panthers, slapping a fan at The Dome at America's Center.

"We are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and we are working to obtain video from The Dome at America's Center that may have captured what led up to the encounter," the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said.

Cooper Kupp's time with the Rams ended with his release on Wednesday ... but before he finds a new squad, the receiver took time to thank L.A. for the past eight years.

Kupp posted the heartfelt letter to his social media not long after the news was made official ... saying his time with the organization was filled with "incredible memories -- despite the struggle of getting fans to buy in early on."

"But we knew at the end of the day, it’s about providing moments," Kupp wrote. "Shared experiences. The things that parents and their children will talk about and remember forever.

The Philadelphia Eagles are slinging white stuff ... but we're not talking Scarface here -- the team's actually putting snow from their playoff win over the L.A. Rams up for sale!!

The Eagles and The Realest announced a first-of-its-kind deal on Wednesday ... saying they  collected powder from Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles snagged a 28-22 win against the Rams in the Divisional Round.

Flakes were falling from the sky during the contest ... and so much accumulated that 100 pint-sized containers were filled to the brim for fans to have a unique souvenir to remember the victory forever -- as long as they have freezer space.