You may have seen the Rams‘ WR looking up in the sky with eyes full of tears. In his recent game against the Seahawks, people saw him crying. Before every game, Puka Nacua shed tears before the game kicks off. But why does he cry before the start of every game?

Puka has sometimes confessed that he is today all because of his mom’s love and his dad’s vision. The 23-year-old WR always remembers his late father Lionel before every game and it makes him cry.

Well, that’s why looks up in the eye before every game and pays tribute to his late father. His father passed away when Nacua was only 11. Diabetic complications took Lionel away from Luka and his five siblings. But his father had a dream to see Puka and the children play football at higher levels. And Puka is so proud he is fulfilling his father’s dream.

In January 2024, Penina Nacua, Puka’s mom, expressed her grief, “I miss that his dad is not here. I wish my husband was here, physically, so that he could hug Puka and just see him in his element now”.

Raised by a single mother, Rams’ jersey No. 17 always remembers and implements his father’s teaching of being kind, helping others, and following a passion. “It’s just overwhelming to see everything he does on a regular football day,” Nacua’s mom stated when asked about his performance in a game.

Puka Nacua: A mamma’s boy too

Lionel Nacua’s demise could not destroy the dream he saw for his kids only because of one person – Penina Nacua. She one-handedly and successfully raised gems like Puka with his four brothers and one sister. Mama Nacua once said. “I always remind my kids to not let their dad’s death go in vain because he worked so hard for you guys, to remember that in all that they are doing and pursuing.” Exceptionally, all her five sons have received Division I scholarships which are awarded for exceptional plays by a college player. Isn’t it absolutely rare?

Penina Nacua is the father and mother to the family. She believes in getting the basics done and also believes in completing study along with sports. Once she entered the gridiron when Nacua was practicing pulled up his ear and got him out of the field to teach a lesson to the WR that completing his homework is a priority as well. But when Puka got picked in the 4th round, she was way more happy than anybody else in the family. He has made her mom proud as he appeared in the 2023 NFL and made a name for himself. But, so far he has played only three games this season.

Though remembering his father’s dream and making it true, his mom’s discipline will not let him play mediocre games for the Rams. Puka’s franchise is managing this season with a 4-4 record, standing 2nd in the NFC West. Let’s see how Nacua performs in the upcoming games.