A single emoji during the Super Bowl was all it took to spark an NFL controversy.
And yes—Puka Nacua really was laughing at Sam Darnold.

Puka Nacua Admits Viral Super Bowl Tweet Was Laughing at Sam Darnold

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua finally addressed a viral moment from Super Bowl week that had NFL fans debating whether he was taking a shot at Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.

It turns out the answer is simple.

Yes—he was laughing at him.

But according to Nacua, the reason wasn’t nearly as serious as many people believed.

The Tweet That Sparked Controversy

During Super Bowl LX, Nacua posted a tweet on X that included a laughing emoji alongside Darnold’s name.

The post quickly spread across social media, with fans interpreting it as trash talk aimed at the Seahawks quarterback — especially given the rivalry between the Rams and Seahawks.

Some fans thought Nacua was bitter about Seattle’s playoff victory over Los Angeles.

Others believed he was mocking Darnold’s performance in the game.

But the real story was much less dramatic.

The Funny Moment Behind the Tweet

Speaking on the One Night with Steiny podcast, Nacua explained that his tweet was inspired by a small in-game moment that made him laugh.

“It’s a point in the game where [Darnold] tries to take a knee and he kind of falls into the Patriots guy’s lap,” Nacua said.

According to Nacua, the Patriots defender tried to help Darnold up — but the Seahawks quarterback refused the help.

That awkward moment is what prompted the tweet.

“It was just funny,” Nacua explained.

Social Media Took It the Wrong Way

By the time Nacua realized how fans were interpreting the tweet, the situation had already taken on a life of its own.

“But then everybody started saying, ‘Yo, we beat you guys. The Rams suck. Sam Darnold owns you,’” Nacua said.

At that point, Nacua decided it wasn’t worth explaining.

“I was like, ‘Alright, I’m not going to explain myself now. It’s already too far.’”

A Rivalry That Keeps Growing

The tension between the Rams and Seahawks intensified throughout the 2025 season.

Seattle won two of the three matchups, including a dramatic 38–37 overtime victory in December.

The Seahawks then defeated Los Angeles again in the NFC Championship Game, winning 31–27 behind a strong performance from Darnold.

Seattle went on to defeat the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX, completing one of the most impressive playoff runs in recent NFL history.

Sam Darnold’s Career Revival

The championship was especially meaningful for Darnold.

After difficult stints with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, the quarterback revived his career during his first season in Seattle.

He led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory while silencing many critics who once labeled him a draft disappointment.

Nacua Isn’t Backing Down

Even after clarifying the tweet, Nacua made it clear he enjoys the rivalry.

“I’m definitely going to keep it going,” he said.

“That’s what makes it fun.”

And if recent history is any indication, the Rams–Seahawks rivalry may only get louder in the seasons ahead.