Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho used his late-night show, “The Speak Easy,” to question Rams receiver Puka Nacua after a video circulated showing the star player appearing inebriated on the street following the Super Bowl.
Acho spoke to co-host LeSean McCoy about what he described as a pattern of behavior that has developed over the past two months.
Emmanuel Acho Lists Off-Field Issues Around Puka Nacua
Acho told McCoy he was not focused on one isolated moment but on a collection of incidents he believes deserve attention. He referenced accusations involving Nacua’s brother and a Lakers player’s car, an altercation with a fan at a USFL game, and remarks Nacua later apologized for after they were interpreted as anti-Semitic.
Acho also mentioned an episode in which Nacua brought unauthorized individuals into the Rams facility before posting a 225-yard performance that overshadowed the violation.
“Being drunk outside of a car, isolated incident, not an issue,” Acho said. “But then when you think about what has surrounded Puka over the last two months, gigantic issue. Because Puka ain’t got his paper yet, you are your circle, and you cannot go any higher than your circle.”
“We gotta watch Puka… We are seeing these behavioral issues and if they don’t get addressed… I have questions.”
– @EmmanuelAcho weighs in on a recent viral video of Puka Nacua inebriated in the middle of the street
HORNETS/PISTONS MELEE ➡️ https://t.co/f4H3dQB55c pic.twitter.com/i5goCme371
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) February 10, 2026
McCoy responded with a calmer view, indicating he did not share the same level of alarm. The former Eagles running back treated the video as a common situation for a young athlete and did not connect it to the earlier incidents.
“We are seeing the puddle with Puka. Money doesn’t change you, money just makes you more of who you are,” Acho said. “We are seeing the issues behavioral that I’m like, hey, if these don’t get addressed right now, given his circle, I got questions.”
Acho was not challenging Nacua’s ability on the field, calling the receiver one of the best in the league. He is right about that because Nacua’s season on the field looked far different from the conversation off it.
The Rams receiver graded as the top wideout in the league in PFSN’s WR Impact metric with a 98.2 score, the only player to reach the A+ tier. He also led the NFL with 129 receptions and remained the focal point of Los Angeles’ passing game all year. His production kept him in the Offensive Player of the Year discussion and underscored why the Rams view him as a franchise cornerstone.
Seahawks Reaction to Nacua’s Super Bowl Message
The discussion intensified after Nacua posted a message on social media late in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ 29-13 victory over the Patriots.
The post, which featured a crying emoji followed by quarterback Sam Darnold’s name, was widely seen as a mockery of the player who had led Seattle through an undefeated postseason.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV responded to the post immediately after the game, telling Nacua to focus on his own offseason. Jones had defended Darnold earlier in the year and repeated that stance as the team celebrated its championship.
The Seahawks finished 14-3 in the regular season, won the NFC’s top seed, and did not commit a turnover during their playoff run.
