Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua publicly apologized for performing an antisemitic dance during a livestream, in a statement released through Blue Square Alliance Against Hate's Stand Up to Jewish Hate social media campaign on X/Twitter on Thursday evening.
"At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people," Nicua wrote. "I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry, or hate of another group of people."
Nacua appeared on Jewish internet personality Adin Ross' Kick livestream on Wednesday, in which Ross had Nacua promise to perform the dance as his next touchdown celebration.
The dance consisted of spinning the football, flexing, and then crouching while rubbing his hands together in a manner resembling the 'Happy Merchant' antisemitic caricature.
'Apologize or be dropped'
"The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre," said Democratic representative Eric Swalwell, criticising Nacua's promise in his own post to X shortly after the video was released.
"He should apologize or be dropped," the post concluded.