When it comes to inspirations for young football talents, Puka Nacua finds himself surrounded by them in the locker room. The likes of Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams are all veteran players who serve as motivation.
Who is Puka Nacua’s Father and Did He Play Football?
But do you know who his first inspiration was?
It was none other than his father, who had unwavering belief in Puka’s ability to be the best among their six children.
Nacua’s father, Lionel Nacua, played a significant role in his life. As one of his first football coaches, Lionel encouraged Puka to analyze game films rather than watching SpongeBob SquarePants. They even bonded over watching college football games together, fostering Puka’s passion for the sport. Additionally, the Nacua family shared special support for the Brigham Young University football team, with Lionel hoping his sons would one day become Cougars.
However, Lionel Nacua tragically passed away at the age of 45 due to complications of diabetes in May 2012. Despite the heartache, both Kai and Isaiah remained true to their father’s dream by verbally committing to BYU after his death.
Did Puka Nacua Also Choose BYU?
In the end, Puka Nacua followed in his brothers’ footsteps and became a revered BYU Cougar. However, his college football journey initially took him to the Seattle area, where he had intended to attend USC. Nevertheless, he ultimately signed his national letter of intent to play for the University of Washington.
During his time at the University of Washington, Nacua started in three games in 2019 and appeared in a total of eight games. He then participated in three more games during the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19. Despite his experiences, he felt a calling to return to his father’s beloved university in 2021, where he solidified his place as a future NFL wide receiver. Nacua led BYU in receiving yards during both seasons.
Notably, Nacua paid tribute to his late father with a touchdown celebration ritual. He would point to the sky, honoring his deceased father, while standing alongside his brothers.
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