{
  "id": 6713549,
  "title": "Rams receiver Puka Nacua acknowledges struggles with alcohol in Netflix interview",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/rams-receiver-puka-nacua-acknowledges-struggles-with-alcohol-in",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-11T05:10:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rams-receiver-puka-nacua-acknowledges-051040498.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Los Angeles Rams player Puka Nacua discussed his battle with alcohol addiction in a recent Netflix interview, revealing how it affected him during his journey from rising to NFL stardom to the birth of his son. In a pre-taped conversation with Elle Duncan, Nacua detailed his time in rehab and how he addressed his struggles with the substance. He admitted, \"Alcohol was definitely a thing for me. I was using it to numb the issues and stress I was facing.\" After entering rehab, he emphasized the importance of open and honest conversations in overcoming his addiction.\n\nNacua's career with the Rams has been marked by impressive numbers, including leading the league in catches in the previous season. Despite his success, he acknowledged that his rapid ascent in the NFL and becoming a father exacerbated the stress he experienced. He explained that he often isolated himself to cope, avoiding the confrontation of his problems. Nacua noted, \"I was never one to share my fears or worries; I was always looking for ways to escape the tension or stress.\"\n\nAs his son grows older, Nacua hopes to use his experiences to teach him valuable lessons. He shared, \"I want to be able to go to any environment that he might be a part of and have him say 'This is my dad.'\"",
  "summary": "Los Angeles Rams All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua acknowledged in an interview on Netflix that he struggled with alcohol as he dealt with issues ranging from his rise to NFL stardom to the birth of his son. In a pre-taped interview aired before the Rams-49ers game on Thursday night in Australia, Nacua talked with Netflix's Elle Duncan about his experience in rehab during the offseason. “I think, one,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Rams receiver Puka Nacua acknowledges struggles with alcohol in Netflix interview",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/rams-receiver-puka-nacua-acknowledges-struggles-with-alcohol-in-6716573",
        "published": "2026-09-11T05:14:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}