Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is facing a civil lawsuit alleging he made an unprovoked antisemitic remark and bit a woman on New Year’s Eve.
The lawsuit, filed by Madison Atiabi in Century City, cites gender violence, assault, battery, and negligence.
Court documents state the plaintiff felt emotionally distressed after the NFL star allegedly used a highly offensive slur directed at Jewish people.
Allegations of physical assault
Atiabi further claims she was travelling in a car with the American football player when he forcibly bit her left shoulder.
The filing alleges the incident left a visible, circular imprint of his teeth on her body.
It is also claimed the 23-year-old bit the thumb of the plaintiff’s friend with enough force to cause acute pain.
A request for a temporary restraining order against the record-breaking wideout has reportedly been denied.
Lawyer describes claims as blackmail
Levi McCathern, the attorney representing the Pro Bowler, strongly denied the antisemitic allegations to the Los Angeles Times.
The lawyer described the physical biting accusations as mere horseplay.
“Our office was contacted with demands of millions of dollars in exchange for not publicizing these allegations,” Levi McCathern told TMZ.
“This is not a legitimate claim — it is blackmail.”
McCathern indicated he intends to file a defamation lawsuit against Atiabi in response to the damaging statements.
Previous controversy
This legal action follows a recent incident in December where the second-year receiver issued a public apology.
The former BYU standout had performed a gesture on an internet livestream that perpetuated harmful stereotypes against the Jewish community.
At the time, he stated he was unaware of the antisemitic themes associated with the action suggested by two streamers.
The Los Angeles franchise subsequently released a statement condemning all forms of antisemitism, prejudice, and hostility.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has released the first public footage of himself throwing a football since undergoing major knee surgery in December.
The star quarterback shared a four-second clip on social media on Wednesday, demonstrating significant progress in his rehabilitation.
Wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg, the Chiefs talisman was able to plant his foot and deliver an intermediate pass inside a training facility.
“Day by Day! Felt Great being able to throw the ball around today!”
Patrick Mahomes
Targeting a Week One return
Wednesday marked exactly 100 days since the franchise player underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL.
The severe dual-ligament injury was sustained when his knee buckled on the turf during a late comeback attempt against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Despite the severity of the setback, there is growing optimism that he could be available for the opening week of the new NFL season.
The Chiefs are scheduled to kick off their campaign in September, potentially against the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks.
“The doctors said I could, but I can’t predict what happens throughout the process. That’s the goal, to play Week 1 and have no restrictions.”
Patrick Mahomes
Gruelling rehabilitation process
The quarterback has been dedicating up to seven hours a day to his recovery under the guidance of top athletic trainer Julie Frymyer.
This intensive regimen is designed to ensure he can participate, at least in a limited capacity, during voluntary offseason practices in May.
Head coach Andy Reid previously praised his offensive leader’s relentless work ethic and daily commitment to the recovery programme.
“He spends a ton of time here, seven hours a day. He’s in there cranking away and making progress every day. It’s great to see.”
Andy Reid
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has announced his retirement from the NFL following a decorated 14-year career that included a Super Bowl victory.
The 36-year-old will formally detail his decision at a news conference on Tuesday at the franchise’s training facility.
A second-round draft pick out of Nebraska in 2012, he spent his entire professional career in Florida and became a cornerstone of the Buccaneers’ defence.
A legacy of defensive dominance
Since entering the league, the formidable defender has recorded an unmatched 1,171 solo tackles.
His remarkable consistency saw him selected to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team and named a team captain on 12 separate occasions.
The veteran belongs to an exclusive club of just three players to register more than 40 sacks and 35 takeaways in league history.
He shares that rare milestone solely with Pro Football Hall of Fame linebackers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher.
Record-equalling final campaign
In his final regular-season appearance, the departing star tied Derrick Brooks’ all-time franchise record of 1,714 combined tackles.
That astonishing total places him joint-sixth in NFL history since the metric was officially tracked in 1994.
He also ends his tenure having played 215 games for the organisation, ranking third behind Brooks and Rondé Barber.
Despite his individual brilliance, it took nine gruelling seasons before he finally experienced playoff football.
Super Bowl glory and leadership
That long wait culminated in the ultimate prize when Tampa Bay lifted the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LV in 2020.
He subsequently helped guide the team to four consecutive NFC South division titles between 2021 and 2024.
Head coach Todd Bowles recently praised his defensive signal-caller for his unwavering reliability on and off the field.
“He is always showing up, not just as the quarterback of the defence, but as a person.”
His leadership was particularly evident last season when he stayed on the field to comfort injured team-mate Mike Evans while the rest of the offence regrouped.
Reflecting on that poignant moment, the retiring great insisted he was simply trying to be there for his “brother”.
Japanese kicker Kansei Matsuzawa is targeting a historic place in the NFL Draft following a sensational college football season with Hawai’i.
The Tokyo native first discovered American football during a tourist trip to the Oakland Coliseum in 2018 to watch the Raiders host the Los Angeles Rams.
Captivated by the stadium atmosphere, the former soccer player immediately set his sights on becoming a professional kicker.
It was an audacious ambition for a visiting fan with no previous exposure to the sport.
An unlikely sporting journey
The self-taught prospect began his remarkable path by purchasing two footballs and studying the technique of Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers on YouTube.
Working at a steakhouse during the day, he would sneak into local parks at night for 90-minute sessions to practice kicking into netting.
His unwavering dedication eventually earned him an opportunity at an Ohio junior college before he secured a high-profile transfer to Hawai’i.
Mastering the craft
Known affectionately as the ‘Tokyo Toe’, the specialist converted 27 of his 29 field-goal attempts during an All-American collegiate campaign.
This stellar performance on the island has put him firmly on the radar of professional scouts.
“The enthusiasm, the stadium, atmosphere and everything was new to me,” he said.
Defying history
No player born in Japan has ever successfully transitioned onto an active NFL roster.
Tens of thousands of American athletes spend their entire youth chasing one of the 32 starting kicking positions available in the league.
“And I felt something: ‘I want to be an NFL player.'”
Having overcome initial academic setbacks in his homeland, the trailblazing athlete is now on the verge of turning an impossible dream into reality.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has signed a three-year contract extension worth $54.7m, ending speculation over his potential retirement from the NFL.
The veteran pass-catcher had been heavily linked with stepping away from the sport following the conclusion of his 13th season.
However, the three-time Super Bowl winner recently confirmed his unwavering intention to remain with the reigning champions.
Lucrative financial terms secured
Details of the lucrative new package were confirmed on Monday as the franchise secured their premier offensive weapon.
He has agreed a $54.735m deal potentially worth up to $57.735m.
Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
This substantial investment ensures the future Hall of Famer remains a fundamental pillar of Andy Reid’s high-powered offense.
Chasing further historic milestones
The prolific route-runner is now preparing to enter his 14th professional campaign.
He has spent his entire illustrious career with the Missouri-based franchise since being drafted.
His unparalleled chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been instrumental in establishing the team as a preeminent modern dynasty.
By securing their star player on a multi-year deal, Kansas City have firmly signalled their intent to pursue further unprecedented championship success.
Reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba has agreed a record-breaking four-year, $168.6m contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks.
The landmark deal averages $42.15m per year and includes more than $120m in guaranteed money.
Both financial figures establish new all-time benchmarks for any wide receiver in the history of the league.
This lucrative new agreement officially ties the prolific pass-catcher to the defending Super Bowl champions through the 2031 season.
Setting a new market standard
This monumental jump in the receiver market is expected to significantly influence upcoming contract negotiations across the sport.
NFC West division rivals the Los Angeles Rams will be particularly attentive as they prepare for crucial offseason discussions.
Rams star Puka Nacua is currently entering the final year of his rookie deal ahead of the 2026 campaign.
The newly established financial bar means the California franchise will likely face a much steeper asking price to retain their own offensive cornerstone.
The New York Jets are carrying $48m in dead salary cap space after moving on from quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields ahead of the 2026 season.
General manager Darren Mougey has orchestrated a drastic roster overhaul that leaves the franchise with the third-highest dead money total in the NFL.
The team recently traded Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick following a highly difficult campaign.
To facilitate the move, the front office absorbed the majority of the 25-year-old’s guaranteed contract to mitigate deeper financial damage.
Focusing on future flexibility
Despite a staggering $104m overall dead cap hit across the roster, the American Football Conference (AFC) side are aggressively positioning themselves for future acquisitions.
This ruthless contract strategy is projected to clear more than $150m in cap space by 2027, giving executives enormous spending power.
Armed with three first-round selections in that same draft year, the MetLife Stadium outfit will be primed to target a marquee player via the trade market.
The willingness to swallow massive financial penalties has become an emerging trend across the league as general managers prioritise long-term squad building over immediate player retention.
The search for a reliable deputy
With Geno Smith now installed as the starting signal-caller on a modest $3.3m deal, the organisation is urgently seeking a veteran backup.
Potential targets Carson Wentz and Andy Dalton have already agreed terms elsewhere, leaving the New York side with a rapidly shrinking pool of free agents.
Experienced options such as Tyrod Taylor and Cooper Rush are currently being evaluated by the coaching staff as the off-season progresses.
Mougey remains active in the trade market after completing 12 player exchanges over the past year, though asking prices for established quarterbacks remain exceptionally high.
NFL owners are scheduled to vote on a succession plan that grants Silver Lake executive Egon Durban the future option to purchase a majority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
The proposed arrangement will be discussed at the annual league meeting in Phoenix starting on 29 March.
Under the terms of the agreement, Durban would secure the right to buy the franchise if current controlling owner Mark Davis, or his heirs, ever decide to relinquish control.
Sources close to the 70-year-old indicate he currently has absolutely no intention of selling his primary share.
Record valuation and expanding stakes
As part of the upcoming ballot, owners will also consider the sale of an additional seven percent of the team to Durban and fellow limited partner Michael Meldman.
Approval of this transaction would reportedly place the overall valuation of the Nevada-based franchise at close to $10bn (£7.9bn).
The NFL Finance Committee has already given its formal backing to the option agreement.
A source close to the boardroom clarified the main motive behind the corporate manoeuvre.
“Mark has no intention to sell his majority stake in the team. This sets up a smooth succession plan.”
A long-standing family legacy
The Davis family name has been synonymous with the silver and black for more than half a century.
Davis inherited the organisation following the death of his famously combative father, Al Davis, in 2011.
The late patriarch initially joined as head coach in 1963 before taking principal ownership nine years later, eventually steering the team to three Super Bowl titles.
However, consistent on-field success has heavily eluded the modern iteration of the franchise.
Recent struggles and minority investments
Since the change in leadership 14 years ago, the team has managed just two winning seasons and failed to record a single playoff victory.
A high-profile relocation from Oakland to the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium in Southern Nevada was completed in 2020.
In an attempt to revitalise the struggling club, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady purchased a five percent ownership stake in 2024.
Despite the arrival of the legendary quarterback into the fold, the team stumbled to miserable 4-13 and 3-14 records over the last two campaigns.