"What happened to Puka Nacua's father? Rams WR recalls emotional tragedy"

Puka Nacua, a rookie wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, is breaking records and making his late father proud.

Puka Nacua has emerged as a rising star among the Los Angeles Rams' new generation of wide receivers. With the team having been champions just two seasons ago, following the contributions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Cooper Kupp, there were undoubtedly big shoes to fill. While Beckham Jr. has since moved on to the Baltimore Ravens, Kupp remains to mentor the young receivers, including Nacua.

Despite the pressure, Nacua has been making a name for himself with his impressive receptions from quarterback Matthew Stafford. In fact, he has already set a rookie record in the NFL for the most receptions in a single game with an astounding 15 catches. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to the driving force behind Nacua's success – his late father.

Lionel Nacua, Puka's father, served as his inspiration to pursue a career in football. According to Pro Football Network, Lionel would prioritize film breakdown sessions over cartoons, instilling a passion for the game in his son. This passion was passed down from father to son, shaping Puka's journey in football.

Tragedy struck the Nacua family in 2012 when Lionel passed away at the age of 45 due to complications from diabetes. He never had the opportunity to witness his son's accomplishments in college or the NFL. Nevertheless, all of Lionel's sons honored his wish by playing for his favorite team, the BYU Cougars.

In 2021, Puka joined his elder brother Samson at BYU, where they both transferred to play for the Cougars. Another older brother, Kai, also made his mark as a defensive back for the university. This shared commitment to their father's favorite team adds a layer of emotional significance to Puka's pre-game rituals, where he looks up to the sky, paying tribute to his late father.

Despite his talent and dedication, Puka Nacua faced a surprising setback in the NFL draft, falling all the way to the fifth round before the Rams selected him out of BYU. However, he has proven to be a revelation for the team thus far.

In his first game against the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua showcased his skills with 10 receptions for 119 yards. He followed up this impressive performance by breaking the rookie record with 15 receptions for 147 yards against the San Francisco 49ers. The only thing missing from his impressive resume so far is a touchdown.

With Nacua's emergence, Matthew Stafford now has another valuable weapon in his arsenal as the Rams aim to bounce back from their disappointing performance as defending Super Bowl champions last season. Nacua's journey to success has been a challenging one, but at every step, he continues to make his late father proud.