Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua took off in Week 1 of the 2023 season and never looked back. However, in Week 18’s 21–20 win over the San Francisco 49ers, he did look back, once, after breaking a 63-year-old record.
On Sunday, Nacua inked his name into history books with back-to-back catches that made him the rookie with the most receptions and most receiving yards in NFL history. After completing the feat, the 22-year-old walked off the field and went over to the sideline to hug his mom, who was patiently waiting for him.
Puka Nacua shares a moment with his family after breaking the NFL rookie receiving record 🥲💙 pic.twitter.com/WAbTZX9pSJ
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 7, 2024
Nacua would later gift his mom the game ball and share a loving and tender moment with her following the end of his truly historic rookie season.
Puka gave the game ball to his mom 💙🥲#LARvsSF pic.twitter.com/24EBQEVARk
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024
Heading into the season finale, Nacua needed four catches and 29 receiving yards to set a new record. Despite the absence of quarterback Matthew Stafford, Nacua reached one of his goals in the third quarter when he reeled in a 7-yard catch, breaking Bill Groman’s rookie receiving yards record (1,473 yards) set with the Houston Oilers.
On the very next play, he recorded his 105th catch of the season, breaking Miami Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle’s 2021 record for most catches by a rookie in a single season.
Nacua finished with four catches and 41 yards with one touchdown on Sunday, which amounted to just a fraction of his unbelievable 2023 stats: 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns.
With the Rams looking to make an underdog run in the postseason, Nacua’s Cinderella story may not be over just yet.
