Puka Nacua, the rookie sensation wideout for the Los Angeles Rams, is about to put on the big boy pants. He has a goal to retire from the NFL by age 30. This late-breaking decision comes as Nacua is looking to make a greater focus on his family life and protecting his physical wellbeing long-term. At 23 years old and entering his third year in the league, Nacua is already contemplating the end of a promising career that saw him set records as a rookie.
Throughout the 2023 NFL season, Nacua was unstoppable as a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. He accumulated a ridiculous 79 receptions, 990 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He sat out five regular-season games due to a knee injury and took the season finale off. Despite these disappointments, he went on to break NFL records for receiving yards and receptions by a rookie. The rising star has made quite the name for himself on the gridiron, but his aspirations reach far beyond the game of football.
Nacua’s choice of going back into early retirement is clearly rooted in values and family for him. As one of six himself, he hopes to eventually raise a large family himself. He wants to be intimately engaged in their lives. The clock is indeed ticking – concerns about the physical toll of a long NFL career weigh heavily on his mind. These concerns weigh heavily on his retirement decisions.
"I know I want to retire at the age of 30," said Nacua.
Inspiration for this plan comes from one other Rams legend, Aaron Donald. Donald, a future Hall of Famer, hung em up in March 2024 after an absolutely fantastic ten-year career. He retired as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champ. His career seemed “complete” upon retirement, which sets a high bar that Nacua idolizes.
"I think of Aaron Donald, to go out at the top, I think it would be super cool," Nacua remarked.
Nacua knows that injury is a part of football. He doesn’t shy away from the realities of just how unpredictable injuries can be, and the profound impact they have on an athlete’s career and life.
"The injuries are something you can't control [as] part of the game, so you never know," he stated.
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