Every time Puka Nacua steps on the field, he’s not just playing for himself. He’s also playing for his dad’s legacy. This is evident even in his My Cause, My Cleats, where he pays homage to his dad through the Diabetes Foundation. Puka Nacua once said, “The way he was able to bring us all together and for us to have so much fun, to always teach us, the people around you, to always take care of them and treat them like family. That’s something I try to carry into the football environment every day.” For Puka, football isn’t just a career—it’s therapy. It’s how he processes grief and keeps that connection with his dad alive.

Picture this: an 11-year-old kid standing on the sidelines of a football field, clutching a ball like it’s the most important thing in the world. His dad, once his loudest cheerleader and toughest coach, is no longer around. The kid looks up at the sky, tears in his eyes, and makes a promise: “I got you, Pops.” The NFL breakout star is keeping that promise every single day. Puka often looks up at the sky before kickoffs, honoring the man who was the driving force behind his dreams.

While most kids his age were watching cartoons and basically goofing off, Puka’s father gently pushed him towards sports. Puka watched ESPN and analysed football and basketball games. The seeds were sown early on, and now he’s in full bloom. His mother, Penina Nacua, once said, “As Puka was getting older, playing football, my husband would always say, ‘I’ll take him to football.’ Even though he was working more and more, he’d make time to do pick up or drop off, and sometimes both.”

Puka lost his father on 14th May 2012—just 15 days before his 11th birthday. Lionel Nacua was only 45 when complications from diabetes took him away. He left behind six kids and a dream: to see his boys ball out on the football field, especially at BYU. But that dream didn’t die with him. In fact, it became the family mission. All five Nacua brothers – Puka, Kai, Tei, Isaiah, and Samson – ended up playing at BYU after transferring from Washington. Now, even after 12 years, Lionel remains an inspiration and source of strength for Puka. The Rams wide receiver recently shared an Instagram Story with a throwback photo of his dad, Lionel Nacua, holding him as a baby. Both are grinning widely at the camera. The caption? “Keep watching over us pops ❤️”—a simple and emotional nod to the man who sparked it all.

As a rookie in the NFL, Puka created his own unique pregame routine. There’s a quiet moment after the national anthem that hits deep. Puka says a quick prayer, then turns to former assistant coach Jake Peetz for a hug. Peetz, who’s dealt with his own loss, got it. He was that calming presence who didn’t need to say much—they just got each other. “Then he would always be the first person (I would) turn around (to) and we’d exchange a big hug before going out there. Just kind of a moment of peace (with) somebody who has similar emotions and being like, ‘man, we want to send it out in the right direction’ and to play for something beyond yourself.”

While he continues to make his mark on the gridiron – and in our hearts – there is another side to him we must explore. His connections to another world, and his dream of making it big in another sport – Basketball. Yes, that’s right. Basketball!

Puka’s dream: hoops overseas?

Now here’s where it gets fun. Puka Nacua’s got big plans for life after football—and no, it’s not coaching or broadcasting. He wants to play pro basketball overseas. Yep, seriously. At just 23, he’s already thinking about hanging up the cleats by 30 and chasing hoops abroad. It’s not some wild pipe dream either. He’s got it all mapped out.

“I’m gonna get 25 shots up a night,” he laughed in an interview. “I’m gonna be the coach, I’m gonna sub my own minutes in, and then I’m gonna make sure that we’re getting ticket sales at the end of it. Try to work some actual business. Do it the right way.” Puka wants to not just play, but own and coach his own team overseas. That’s next-level thinking. He’s got the skills for it, too. Back in high school, he was no scrub on the court—averaged over 11.7 points per game. He also boasts 5.1 rebounds, with 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals. Impressive right? This is across 82 varsity games. So yeah, he can hoop. And he’s got that infectious energy and creativity to make this vision a whole vibe.

Before you say ‘that sounds crazy’, let me tell you, there’s a method to his madness. He’s drawing inspiration from LaMelo Ball’s Lithuania run and MJ’s business moves. “I want to play football, take that money – LaMelo Ball went to Lithuania. Like, I’m sure I could go to another country that only 25% of the world’s ever heard before, get ownership in the team and go do the Michael Jordan route,”

At the end of the day, whether he’s snagging touchdowns on Sundays or making his mark in basketball, Puka’s mission stays the same: keep his dad’s spirit alive and build something that lasts. Football will always be the bridge to Lionel, and basketball? That’s the future—a fresh canvas for Puka to paint his next masterpiece.

He’s living proof that even the heaviest losses can light a fire. And with every play, every prayer, and every big dream, he’s making sure his dad is right there beside him—on the field, on the court, and always in his heart.