Dave Portnoy Rips Into Adin Ross For Allegedly Baiting Puka Nacua Into Performing Offensive Gesture
Controversial media personality Dave Portnoy expressed his concerns about Adin Ross after the problematic streamer seemingly set up NFL star Puka Nacua to make an antisemitic gesture during a recent livestream. After the moment went viral, Nacua faced a wave of backlash from fans, prompting the Los Angeles Rams player and the NFL to issue statements condemning hate of all kinds. According to a new report, Portnoy was fired up over the situation and sent Ross a series of explosive text messages expressing his fury.
Dave Portnoy Has Issue With The Total 'A--hole' Move Ross Set Nacua Up To Do
Speaking with the Daily Mail, Portnoy didn't mince words regarding Ross, who, during a livestream, asked Nacua to perform a gesture many have labeled antisemitic. Nacua did perform the move but, in a statement, claimed he was unaware of its meaning. "I thought the way he set up Puka Nacua, by telling him to do that dance, was a total a--hole move by him. Anybody with a brain knew that would cause a controversy. For what? So Adin could get a couple clicks," Portnoy said.
Portnoy went on, expressing genuine confusion after sharing he's had intimate conversations with Ross and his family about their Jewish heritage. "I was very surprised he’d be that dumb since every time I’ve met Adin he, as well as his dad, have privately thanked me for standing up against antisemitism," he said. He later defended Nacua, calling Ross' stunt "a really idiotic thing to tell Puka," adding, "[he] clearly had no idea what he was doing."
Dave Portnoy Squares Off With Ross In Explosive Text Messages Shared Online
Portnoy's statements come days after 15 people were killed in a horrific attack around Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration. During a recent livestream, Ross shared that he'd heard from Portnoy over text, who wasted no time going after the 25-year-old streamer. In one message shared online, Portnoy reportedly asked Ross, "why'd you tell Puka to do that dance? Seems like an a--hole dumb thing to do."
Ross shared that he replied, telling Portnoy it was only a joke and not meant to offend anyone seriously, to which Portnoy replied, "Yeah telling a dude to do an antisemitic td [touchdown] dance 5 seconds after 15 people get murdered in Australia surely wouldn't be taken too seriously. Idiotic thing to do. You play both sides."
Nacua Apologized After Receiving Heat From Fans
According to a post from The Blast, Nacua found himself in the crosshairs of angry NFL viewers after the clip of him on Ross' podcast began circulating.
"Puka Nacua went from one of the most likable NFL players to one of the biggest a-sholes in one week," one user wrote on X. "For a guy who's done almost everything right over his first three NFL seasons ... Puka Nacua's had a week of pretty horrific judgment," another shared.
The Rams' wide receiver scrambled to apologize, explaining that he "had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people." He maintained that he doesn't tolerate "any form" of hatred.
The NFL released a statement of its own, condemning "discrimination and derogatory behavior," and the Rams' statement read, "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."
Joe Budden Calls Out Ross During An Episode Of His Podcast
After the backlash seemed to reach an all-time high, Ross released a statement of his own, defending Nacua and urging the public to lay off of him. "To all the people on Twitter going at Puka, I did that," he said, adding that because he's Jewish, he can "stereotype a dude [and] do my own Jewish sh-t."
However, Ross' defiant stance fell flat with many, including NYC rapper Joe Budden, who called the popular streamer out on an episode of his "Joe Budden" podcast. "I don’t f-ck with nothing about him. Yes, I saw that Puka sh-t. That's what has me on him," Budden said.
Ross, meanwhile, didn't seem fazed by Budden's comments, calling him a "miserable, disgusting ... antisemite" in a recent livestream. "You f-cking suck at everything and I’m not even joking. F-ck Joe Budden. Who f-cks with Joe Budden? Nobody does," Ross added.
Portnoy Recently Expressed Sadness Over Receiving Hate On The Street
Portnoy's position on Ross encouraging Nacua to perform an antisemitic gesture isn't surprising, as he recently opened up about the deluge of hateful messages he receives regarding his identity as a Jewish man. "Occasionally you get, 'Hey, k-ke' or 'Jew' or whatever. It's every day now. Like, there's a definitive shift in what's going on," he said.
His revelation comes after a viral video showed him being attacked with hate speech while just outside the Mississippi State University campus, according to The Blast. In the video, a man identified as Patrick McClintock said, "Hey, f--k the Jews. F--k you, Dave Portnoy."
Elsewhere in the interview, Portnoy implied that he wanted to use his role model status in the Jewish community to help combat the "real hate" being hurled their way. "So yeah, now, for me being a Jewish person, you have to step up. You're kind of someone people look up to in the Jewish community. You have to go, 'Alright, this is not normal, ha-ha with the guys. People are coming up with real hate.'"
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