Puka Nacua found Aaron Donald, a rookie for the Rams, to be both humorous and frightening.
Numerous NFL rookies will visit the facilities of their new team for the first time in a few weeks, seeing the celebrities they grew up watching on television. Hopefully, these rookies won’t have a terrifying encounter similar to what wide receiver Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams had when he first encountered recently retired Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.
Puka Nacua had an intimidating first meeting with Aaron Donald
After ten amazing seasons, Aaron Donald is retiring from the game, and his current Rams teammates are reflecting on their time spent with the great.
WR Puka Nacua, who emerged as one of the 2023 season’s most unexpected breakout performers, is one of these guys.
Nacua revealed on The Rush with Maxx Crosby podcast that Donald treated him like a fifth-round pick when he first entered the Rams’ building, before he went on to become an NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver.
“I’m in the weight room, and the rookies were working out after,” I said to Donald during our first encounter. I can assure you that he has been exercising already. After our run on the field, we come in for our lift, and this man is still working out. When Nacua thought back to Donald’s illustrious work ethic, he said, “Like the Vets have already had their workout, he’s still there.”
“I’m doing the little Theraguns by the middle weights, kind of like a massage.” The 180s are on the ground next to me, and as he approaches, he says, “Move.” I start to jump as if all he says is to move. I move and jump, but I like to turn my back on him so I’m not looking at him or making eye contact,” Nacua said. After turning away, I heard him say “Move” once again. I put the Theragun down, left the weight room, and promised to return. I don’t need to be here right now, but I’m not sure what time our lift is. Yes, AD needs to lift now.
Now that Donald has retired, Nacua chuckles about this, but he also admits that this year in general and this particular encounter are a touch bittersweet because he took being teammates with one of the greatest players of all time for granted.
Despite the first meeting, Rams will miss Donald’s personality
Despite their terrifying initial encounter, Puka Nacua had nothing but positive memories of Aaron Donald and the Rams’ amazing locker-room presence.
The wideout also related a humorous anecdote about Donald’s attitude toward team meetings.
When Nacua sat next to Donald during team meetings, she said, “He was funny.” “Since AD was chatting to every D-line member at the rear of the meeting and giving them pats on the back of the head, it was almost like our chance to get a glimpse of his personality. Coach McVay would chuckle and say, “Desjuan (Johnson), yeah you suck,” whenever he said something. “Damn Jonah (Williams), what the hell are you doing here?” he exclaims. “You see me getting double-teamed?” he asks. He was amusing as he was just chatting away in the background and displaying his personality. He seemed to be simply hanging out with the guys and interacting with them on a regular basis.
This represents the hidden price of losing a player such as Donald. Only the Rams witness the mayhem he wreaks on the field and the leadership he demonstrates in the locker room. The squad might miss him at the meetings as much as in the trenches during the upcoming 2024 season.