Puka Nacua’s mother Penina raised six children after tragedy struck in 2012 – Inside the Los Angeles Rams star’s family and football journey (Image via Instagram: Puka Nacua with his family)
When Lionel passed away from diabetes complications in 2012, Puka was just 11 years old. After Lionel Nacua’s passing in 2012, Penina Nacua faced the daunting task of raising six children on her own. 2023 – The Los Angeles Rams selected him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft as their 177th overall pick. He set NFL rookie records with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards. 2025 – Posted a career-best 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Because they had this Samoan build, you know, “He loved football and I remember him just being in love with his sons. 2024 – Recorded 79 receptions for 990 yards and 3 touchdowns even while missing games due to knee injuries. He won his first Pro Bowl. He won his second Pro Bowl.
“My husband loved defense,” Penina Nacua said in 2023. “His [Lionel] passions for his sons playing football was like above and beyond,” Penina said in 2024. “When I was younger, my mom had to be the strength for us when my father passed away,” Puka said via Deseret News in 2024. “My mother is everything to me and my family,” Puka said in 2024.
Puka Nacua’s quick rise to NFL stardom is more than a story of talent and determination; it is a heartfelt tribute to the loving family that shaped him. His late father, Lionel Nacua, ignited his passion for football, while his mother, Penina Nacua, became his strong pillar of strength after tragedy struck. Lionel Nacua’s deep love for football inspired his five sons to chase the sport, laying the perfect groundwork for their athletic pursuits. And through sacrifice, resilience, and unfaltering love, Penina Nacua helped keep Puka’s dreams alive while raising six children. As the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver continues to make his irrevocable mark, he carries his family’s dedication onto the gridiron. Every achievement is deeply personal, and he credits his parents and grandmother for their unwavering support and love. Puka Nacua’s parents are Penina and the late Lionel Nacua. They brought together Samoan and Hawaiian roots that shaped a family built on respect, unity, and resilience. As per Pro Football Network, Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver is of Polynesian descent. He grew up in Utah but his heritage traces back to Samoa. He also has Portuguese and Native Hawaiian roots. Lionel Nacua wrestled and was a huge football fan. From an early age, Lionel immersed his children in football, encouraging sibling rivalries to toughen them for the game’s growing demands. “He would have everybody suiting up and putting on the shoulder pads, and he’d make them go head-on, one-on-one. Puka absorbed lessons from watching football footage and seasoned players, developing a love for the sport long before he turned pro. Though his father’s absence left a void, the wisdom and drive Lionel instilled remain at the heart of the family. Inspired by his father’s battle, Puka now champions diabetes awareness through the league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. She juggled their education and athletic dreams, meeting every challenge with unfaltering strength. Puka often credits his mother’s resilience and devotion, cherishing the special bond that has guided him through every step of his football journey. “There was never a moment where we couldn’t rely on my mom being there for us. “Being able to be the rock of our family and support us in that hard time. The strength of the single mother, being able to carry all of us kids and then to continue to carry on, it’s something that I used to call upon. He earned a spot on PFWA All-Rookie Team. He established himself as one of the Los Angeles Rams’ leading offensive players. He earned NFL receptions leader honors. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
Just seeing them, he was like, ’My boys are gonna be athletes.’” Lionel’s dream was for all five of his sons to play football, and today, each has followed that path: Kai excelled as a defensive back at BYU and played in both the NFL and UFL; Isaiah played defensive line at BYU and served a church mission; Samson starred as a wide receiver at Utah and BYU before playing professionally; Puka shined at Washington and BYU before joining the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams; and Tei is carrying on the legacy as a wide receiver committed to BYU.
As Puka shattered NFL rookie records in Week 18 vs. the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 NFL season, he sensed his late father and grandmother beside him, their presence woven into every moment. Puka’s grandmother immigrated to the U.S. from West Samoa [the name of Samoa until 1997] with her only daughter Penina, as per The Salt Lake Tribune. 2018 – Earned Utah Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Orem High School after a record-breaking senior season with 103 receptions, 2,336 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns. 2019 to 2020 – Played college football at the University of Washington [Washington Huskies]. He recorded 16 receptions for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns. 2021 to 2022 – Transferred to BYU. He finished his college career with 91 catches, 1,430 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.
Because there was a peace and calmness throughout the game that I was able to feel that was different from other ones, but they were out there enjoying this one with me. His mother revealed that Puka’s nickname came from his chubby appearance as a baby.
“The strength to continue to push on,” Puka said in 2023. “Coming back to be home with family for sure,” Samson said in 2021. “My dad, it kind of started with him,” Puka said in 2021. But she said if we were to come play at BYU, she would be there every game. So, when she said that, we were like, ‘Okay, we’ll be there. And then if mom’s mom says something, there is no hesitating there. So, it was sweet,” said Puka. “My mother named ‘Puka’ as a nickname for him because when he was six, nine months old, he was a chubby little version of my husband,” said Penina. “My legal government name is Makea Manu Nacua and in Samoan, the name ‘Puka’ means chubby,” said Puka. Puka was just kind of like her baby,” said Penina. I know my mom has a lot of baby pictures and the person in a lot of those baby photos was my grandma,” Puka said.
“And to be there in all the significant moments for me, and especially for my siblings, being the younger one, of watching her find a way to go to practice over here, go to practice over there, be at this game, and to be a team mom, and all those things. The things that she sacrificed and the strength that that requires is something that I hold dear to my heart. Puka Nacua grew up alongside five siblings – four brothers, Kai, Samson, Isaiah, and Tei, and a sister, Chanel – in a household where football was a family tradition. The brothers’ shared passion for the sport fostered a competitive spirit that sharpened Puka’s skills and drive. He attended Orem High School in Utah. Then played college football at Washington before transferring to BYU to be closer to his grandmother, Fa’atamali’i Saole, after her ovarian cancer diagnosis. Even his brother, Samson, left his beloved Utah Utes for BYU. “Grandma was sick. Mom was going through a lot trying to help grandma. Me and Puka were talking, and I was like, ‘D*ng, bro, we hadn’t played with each other in a long time, since pe*-w*e football. So it was perfect timing for everything. “Him having the idea that all of us brothers being able to play at the same school. It started with Kai coming here to BYU. But then my grandma, my mom’s mom, she used to come to my games in high school. But she was never a fan of going outside the house. We’ve always got to listen to mama. “Him and my grandma, I know they were up there. I hope they get to watch every game. And I know they were out there with me. Puka and his mother Penina share heartfelt memories of Puka’s grandmother and the special bond they shared. The family also recalled Puka’s grandmother’s warmth, affection, and deep connection to others. She made everyone feel loved and valued throughout her life. “Her and Puka just had a close relationship. “The grandmother-grandson relationship was one that started from a very young age. “The connection that my grandma not only had with me and how important and special she made me feel, but then also the time that she would take to interact with the people that she came across. And I think everybody who knows her definitely felt that connection and that love and maybe sometimes a little aggressive sometimes, but in the best way. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines