Puka Nacua made a hand-rubbing gesture that many recognized as an antisemitic stereotype portraying Jewish people as greedy, which he performed and demonstrated during an internet livestream.

What the gesture was

  • During a livestream with internet streamer Adin Ross, Nacua was asked to use a specific “celebration” as his next touchdown dance.
  • The movement involved hunching slightly and rubbing his hands together, a motion that has been used online and in pop culture to depict Jewish people as scheming or money-obsessed.

Why it caused backlash

  • The gesture is widely understood by Jewish groups and anti-hate organizations as an antisemitic trope because it reduces Jewish people to a stereotype about greed and money.
  • Clips from the stream spread quickly on social media, prompting criticism from fans, commentators, and even a U.S. congressman who called for Nacua to apologize or face consequences.

Nacua’s response and apology

  • Nacua released a statement saying that at the time of the livestream he “had no idea” the gesture was antisemitic or offensive, and that he learned afterward what it represented.
  • He stated that he does not support racism, bigotry, or hate toward any group and apologized to those he hurt, sharing the message on Instagram and other platforms.

What he did after the controversy

  • Before his next game (a Week 16 matchup), Nacua publicly expressed regret and then used low-key, standard celebrations when he scored, avoiding any controversial gestures.
  • Coverage around the league framed the situation as a reminder that even “joke” gestures on streams can carry historical weight and real-world impact, especially when done by high-profile athletes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.