'Puka is dead'? Rams star's viral Instagram name finally explained and it's all his mom's fault
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Some NFL players have cool Instagram handles. Some keep it simple. And then there's Puka Nacua, whose IG username is…
@pukaizded
. If you've ever scrolled past it and wondered, 'Um, is he okay?' don't worry, it's not deep.
In fact, it's hilariously petty mom energy, and we're absolutely here for it.
Puka Nacua explains why his IG name is 'Puka is dead' and blames his mom
During an interview on the 'Games With Names' podcast, Puka finally spilled the beans on why his Instagram sounds like a doom metal band.
Turns out, back in eighth grade, Puka was sneaking around with a secret Instagram account. His mom, being the all-seeing parent she is, found it. But instead of just yelling at him, she did something way more savage:
'My mom, 8th-grade year, didn't know I had Instagram.
My mom found my IG & changed it; she made it 'Puka is dead' to let me know I was in trouble.'
Puka's mom changed his Instagram handle 💀
She literally renamed his account to tell him he was grounded. And the best part? He kept the username. Even now, as a rising NFL star, Puka still rolls with it, like a digital badge of childhood trauma and comedy.
After the interview clip made the rounds on TikTok and Twitter/X, fans couldn't get enough. Comments poured in like:
Honestly, the name makes way more sense now, and we kind of love him more for keeping it real.
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From being 'dead' on IG to killing it in the NFL
Puka Nacua absolutely exploded in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Rams. He broke rookie receiving records, made every fantasy manager scream with joy, and became one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season.
And through it all? His Instagram still proudly reads: @pukaizded. Because some things, like your mom's sense of humour, stay with you forever.
In a world where most athletes try to sound cool and mysterious online, Puka Nacua's handle is refreshingly real. He didn't just accept his mom's punishment, he made it his brand. Peak Gen Z energy. Peak NFL content. And peak internet gold.
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