Rams’ Puka Nacua opens up about using alcohol to cope with NFL stardom

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua entered the NFL as a relatively unknown fifth round pick (and the No. 177 overall selection) of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he quickly emerged into a household name.

The 25-year-old's rise to superstardom was seemingly overnight. Nacua shared in a vulnerable interview with Netflix Sports' Elle Duncan before the 49ers vs. Rams game on Sept. 10 how his life abruptly changed and how he's been adjusting to the life of a star football player in Los Angeles.

Nacua opened up to Duncan, discussing mental health, fatherhood and healthy ways to cope with all the stress he's been under.

"I think I learned that I'm very avoidant of conflict, which is very interesting due to the nature of football. I would like to say I play very physical, just avoidant of the things that I know were causing me stress," Nacua said.

He came on the scene and dominated. Nacua holds NFL records for most receiving yards in a rookie season with 1,486 yards and the most receptions by a rookie in a game with 15. Last season, he led the league with 129 receptions.

In his young career, he's piled up…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/