The Brett Cooper Show – Episode 112: "Was This NFL Player Being Antisemitic?"

Date: December 20, 2025
Host: Brett Cooper

Episode Overview

This episode examines the growing controversy surrounding Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nakua, who became embroiled in accusations of antisemitism after an innocuous end zone dance suggestion on Aiden Ross's livestream. Brett Cooper critiques the chain reaction by politicians, organizations, and media in spinning a “nothing burger” event into a firestorm, reflecting on larger issues of outrage culture, context, and accountability in sports and society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Outrage Over a Dance

• [00:55] Brett introduces the controversy, mocking the NFL’s focus:

  “So in a sports league full of domestic violence and drugs and dog fighting rings, the thing that really set executives off this week was a potentially anti Semitic dance in the end zone. Great job, NFL. You really knocked it out of the park.”

• The incident started when Aiden Ross (Jewish streamer) taught Puka Nakua a new touchdown dance, which referenced a gesture from a meme (the "Happy Merchant") labeled antisemitic by the ADL.
• [01:34] Brett plays the brief, seemingly innocuous livestream clip of Aiden instructing the dance.

2. The Political and Media Firestorm

• Representative Eric Swalwell’s critical tweet condemning Puka Nakua and demanding apology or expulsion is highlighted:

  “He should apologize or be dropped for an anti Semitic touchdown dance. It's anti Semitic, of course. Welcome to 2025.” [02:40]

• Brett’s take:

  “I genuinely think that Puka doing a dance on a livestream for 18 seconds, really, like three seconds, is pretty low on the totem pole here. Especially when I don't think he even knew what he was doing.” [03:23]

3. The Role of Intent and Context

• Listeners and commenters note that intentions matter—Puka was just copying a dance taught by a Jewish streamer, with no ill will.

  “Intentions matter. This does not strike me as a man who hates these people.” [04:13]

• Brett:

  “Like, I'm sorry, but not everyone is going to be scrolling through the ADL's list of offensive memes, gestures, people, organizations every day to make sure that they stay up to date. Like, that is just completely ridiculous. This was blown utterly out of proportion.” [04:32]

4. The Streisand Effect and Institutional Apologies

• The controversy snowballs due to political and media amplification.

  “This is a proper way to spread social contagion. Yes. Like, had this story not been amplified by people like Swalwell and the media, I literally think that it would have gone nowhere.” [06:22]

• Corporate and institutional responses:
  • NFL statement: “The NFL strongly condemns all form of discrimination and derogatory behavior...”
  • Rams statement: “There is no place in this world for antisemitism as well as other forms of prejudice or hostility towards the Jewish people and people of any religion, ethnicity or race.”
• Puka Nakua issues a public apology, stating he was unaware of any antisemitic connotation:

  "At the time, I had no idea that this was anti Semitic in nature and perpetrated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people. I deeply apologize..." [08:47]

5. Cancel Culture and Escalating Outrage

• Brett draws parallels to previous outrage cycles (racism, feminism, #MeToo), warning of the diminishing weight of important terms:

  “…these are all examples of a very slippery slope. And the outrage is simply exhausting. We have seen this story before and it does not have a good ending. Words have weight. They should have weight. And with stories like this, with outrage like this, you are stripping all of it away.” [13:14]

• Highlights aggressive rhetoric from groups like Stop Antisemitism:

  “We will shine a light on you that, thanks to Google and SEO, will follow you for the rest of your life... Our work will always be documented.” — Stop Antisemitism Representative [11:59]

6. Collateral: Puka’s Difficult Week

• The controversy grew as Puka was also criticized for calling NFL refs “bullshitting” on the same livestream, leading to another forced apology. [14:24]
• Compounding issues: Puka’s brother was reportedly arrested for stealing an NBA player’s car, adding to public scrutiny.

7. Brett’s Take on NFL Priorities

• Brett lampoons the NFL for selectively enforcing discipline more fiercely for harmless celebrations than for serious criminal violations:

  “So dangerous. Apparently [the nose swipe celebration] means you are wiping out the competition. I don't even know.” [17:07]

  • Examples cited:
    • Josh Allen/Elijah Moore fined for “throat slit” gesture.
    • CeeDee Lamb’s “nose swipe” celebration banned.
    • Travis Kelce’s “arrow” celebration scrutinized.
  • Compares focus on dances to leniency towards players with criminal convictions.

  “There are countless players who have been arrested for domestic battery, theft, drug possession, you name it. They are actually put in jail and they get to continue to play with no suspension, no fine, no league discipline.” [17:37]

8. Final Thoughts: Distraction and Memory

• Brett concludes that media outrage—not Puka’s actions—caused any real distraction, noting Nakua played one of the best games of his career during the firestorm. [16:10]
• Advises that in today’s short-attention-span world, the controversy will soon be forgotten:

  “Everybody has pee brains. They will forget about this soon enough because it certainly is ridiculous.” [18:52]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:55] Brett (sarcastically critiquing NFL priorities):
  "In a sports league full of domestic violence and drugs and dog fighting rings, the thing that really set executives off this week was a potentially anti-Semitic dance in the end zone..."
• [02:40] Rep. Eric Swalwell’s escalation:
  "He should apologize or be dropped for an anti Semitic touchdown dance. It's anti Semitic, of course. Welcome to 2025."
• [03:23] Brett on proportionality: "Puka doing a dance on a livestream for... really, like three seconds, is pretty low on the totem pole here."
• [06:22] Brett on outrage cycle: "Had this story not been amplified by people like Swalwell and the media, I literally think that it would have gone nowhere."
• [11:59] Stop Antisemitism representative on permanent consequences:
  “Your actions will not disappear into the darkness. We will shine a light on you that, thanks to Google and SEO, will follow you for the rest of your life.”
• [13:14] Brett summing up: "Words have weight. They should have weight. And with stories like this, with outrage like this, you are stripping all of it away."

Segment Timestamps

• [00:55] – Controversy Introduction & Livestream Clip Breakdown
• [02:40] – Political and Media Escalation (Eric Swalwell’s Tweet)
• [03:40] – Intentions and Context
• [04:32] – Internet & Community Reaction, Streisand Effect
• [06:16] – NFL & Rams Official Statements, Public Apology
• [11:59] – Stop Antisemitism’s “Permanent Memory” Threat
• [13:14] – Commentary on Cancel Culture & Definition Creep
• [14:24] – Additional Criticism: Remarks About NFL Refs
• [16:10] – Puka’s Game Performance Amidst the Firestorm
• [17:07] – NFL Discipline Selectivity / Celebration Bans
• [18:52] – Final Thoughts on Outrage Cycles and Memory

Takeaways

• The controversy exemplifies how minor incidents can become cultural flashpoints through amplification by politicians, activists, and media—even (or especially) when intent is absent.
• Brett argues such cycles dilute the meaning of serious accusations and undermine proportional responses to genuine injustice.
• Puka Nakua is presented as a casualty of social contagion, apologizing for an action he didn’t understand, while the real outrage should focus elsewhere.
• The episode closes with a skeptical, satirical tone, challenging listeners to reconsider collective priorities and the direction of outrage culture.