A Tale of Two Brothers: From NFL Stardom to Legal Troubles
In a surprising development on the streets of Los Angeles, Samson Nacua, the 27-year-old brother of Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua, found himself in legal trouble after allegedly taking a BMW SUV belonging to Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero without permission. This incident, confirmed by Fox News Digital, resulted in the arrest of both Samson Nacua and 27-year-old Trey Rose by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. According to the authorities, deputies were flagged down in West Hollywood by the victim, who reported his newer model BMW stolen and had tracked it to that location. The initial investigation revealed that Nacua had allegedly taken the vehicle from the Wilshire location, while Rose was behind the wheel when they arrived at the Sunset location. Both men were subsequently arrested for “Taking a Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent,” a violation of California Vehicle Code section 10851(a).
This isn’t the first time Samson Nacua has made headlines for troubling behavior. Earlier this year, while playing for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL (United Football League), Nacua was suspended after an incident where he slapped a St. Louis Battlehawks fan in the face. The altercation, which occurred at The Dome at America’s Center, was captured on video and quickly went viral across social media platforms. The UFL took swift disciplinary action, suspending Nacua without pay for one game and mandating his participation in community service events organized by the league. This pattern of controversial behavior stands in stark contrast to the rising professional success of his younger brother Puka, who has become one of the NFL’s breakout stars with the Rams.
Samson’s football journey has taken a much different path than his brother’s. After beginning his collegiate career at Utah, where he caught 82 passes for 1,015 yards and 11 touchdowns over 45 games, Samson transferred to BYU for the 2021 season—the same university his younger brother Puka attended. During his single season at BYU, Samson recorded 21 catches for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Following his college career, he attempted to break into the NFL, spending time with both the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, but was unable to secure a permanent spot on either roster. Instead, his professional football career led him to the UFL, where he played for the Pittsburgh Maulers before joining the Michigan Panthers in 2024.
The stark contrast between the brothers’ trajectories highlights the unpredictable nature of professional sports careers. While Puka Nacua has emerged as one of the NFL’s brightest young talents—setting rookie records and becoming an essential part of the Rams’ offense—Samson has struggled both on and off the field. Puka’s meteoric rise to NFL stardom came after an impressive college career at BYU, where he showcased the talent that would eventually make him a fifth-round draft pick by the Rams in 2023. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, as he broke several NFL rookie receiving records and established himself as a reliable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, Samson’s professional journey has been marked by team changes, league transitions, and now, increasingly troubling off-field incidents.
The latest legal trouble for Samson comes at a time when many athletes are facing increased scrutiny for their behavior away from their respective sports. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has indicated that the investigation into the vehicle theft incident is “currently active and ongoing,” suggesting that more details may emerge in the coming days and weeks. For Adou Thiero, the Lakers forward whose vehicle was allegedly taken, this incident represents an unfortunate introduction to the challenges that sometimes come with being a professional athlete in a major market like Los Angeles. Thiero, who recently joined the Lakers, now finds himself unexpectedly connected to the Nacua family story through this alleged vehicle theft.
The contrasting paths of the Nacua brothers serve as a reminder of how differently life can unfold, even for siblings with similar backgrounds and opportunities. While Puka continues to build what promises to be a successful NFL career with the Rams, Samson faces legal challenges and professional uncertainty. His suspension from the UFL earlier this year for the fan-slapping incident had already cast doubt on his future in professional football, and this latest arrest only compounds those concerns. As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, both Nacua brothers will navigate the consequences of this incident—Samson directly, as he faces potential legal penalties and professional repercussions, and Puka indirectly, as he continues his NFL career under the shadow of his brother’s troubles. Their divergent journeys highlight not only the different paths siblings can take but also the personal choices that ultimately shape those paths.
