UFL Suspends Panthers WR Samson Nacua For Slapping Battlehawks Fan

Michigan Panthers vast receiver Samson Nacua, brother of Puka Nacua, has been suspended for one sport with out pay after a heated post-game altercation during which he punched a fan, the United Football League (UFL) introduced Tuesday.

UFL Suspends Nacua After Altercation With Fan

The suspension comes after a now-viral video of Nacua punching a spectator within the face after the Michigan Panthers’ sport in opposition to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday at The Dome at America’s Center in Missouri.

According to TMZ Sports, the league confirmed that Nacua might be out for the Panthers’ subsequent sport in opposition to the DC Defenders this Sunday in Washington, D.C.

As per the UFL, Nacua has additionally dedicated to attending a collection of group service actions organized by the league later this season. The league has not made any extra feedback on the problem.

Authorities Now Investigating Nacua’s Behavior

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has began the investigation relating to Nacua’s case. Department spokesman Mitch McCoy mentioned authorities are attempting to acquire video footage from the dome to establish what preceded the altercation.

“We are working to obtain video from The Dome at America’s Center that may have captured what led up to the encounter,” police spokesperson Mitch McCoy mentioned.

Video Footage Captures Heated Exchange

In the viral video on social media, Nacua is shouting and pointing at a person stooping over the stands. A second later, the Michigan Panthers’ vast receiver jumps and punches the person within the face with an open hand. Later within the incident, Nacua’s teammate Adonis Alexander could be heard confronting the identical fan.

Though the id of the fan will not be identified, the video has sparked a broad on-line controversy about participant habits and fan interplay insurance policies in skilled soccer.

Who is Samson Nacua?

According to the Los Angeles Times, Samson Nacua spent 4 years of faculty soccer on the University of Utah earlier than transferring to Brigham Young University (BYU), the place he performed together with his youthful brother Puka in his final school season. He went undrafted and had temporary stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints however didn’t make the ultimate roster of both NFL staff.

Now in his second season with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers, Samson performs alongside one other brother, Kai Nacua, a former NFL security.

Spotlight on Puka Nacua’s NFL Stardom

Whereas his large brother Samson is in bother, his little brother Puka Nacua is on the rise as one of many NFL breakout stars. A Los Angeles Rams standout, Puka broke rookie data in 2023 for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) and made his first Pro Bowl choice.

Undeterred by a proper knee sprain that saved him out of 5 video games, Puka’s play has positioned the Nacua household identify within the information on the NFL stage.