UFL Suspends Panthers WR Samson Nacua For Slapping Battlehawks Fan

Michigan Panthers wide receiver Samson Nacua, brother of Puka Nacua, has been suspended for one game without pay after a heated post-game altercation in which he punched a fan, the United Football League (UFL) announced Tuesday.

UFL Suspends Nacua After Altercation With Fan

UFL Suspends Panthers WR Samson Nacua For Slapping Battlehawks Fan

The suspension comes after a now-viral video of Nacua punching a spectator in the face after the Michigan Panthers' game against the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday at The Dome at America's Center in Missouri.

According to TMZ Sports, the league confirmed that Nacua will be out for the Panthers' next game against the DC Defenders this Sunday in Washington, D.C.

As per the UFL, Nacua has also committed to attending a series of community service activities organized by the league later this season. The league has not made any additional comments on the issue.

Authorities Now Investigating Nacua's Behavior

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has started the investigation regarding Nacua's case. Department spokesman Mitch McCoy said authorities are trying to obtain video footage from the dome to identify what preceded the altercation.

"We are working to obtain video from The Dome at America's Center that may have captured what led up to the encounter," police spokesperson Mitch McCoy said.

Video Footage Captures Heated Exchange

In the viral video on social media, Nacua is shouting and pointing at a man stooping over the stands. A moment later, the Michigan Panthers' wide receiver jumps and punches the man in the face with an open hand. Later in the incident, Nacua's teammate Adonis Alexander can be heard confronting the same fan.

Though the identity of the fan is not known, the video has sparked a broad online controversy about player behavior and fan interaction policies in professional football.

Who is Samson Nacua?

According to the Los Angeles Times, Samson Nacua spent four years of college football at the University of Utah before transferring to Brigham Young University (BYU), where he played with his younger brother Puka in his last college season. He went undrafted and had brief stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints but failed to make the final roster of either NFL team.

Now in his second season with the UFL's Michigan Panthers, Samson plays alongside another brother, Kai Nacua, a former NFL safety.

Spotlight on Puka Nacua's NFL Stardom

Whereas his big brother Samson is in trouble, his little brother Puka Nacua is on the rise as one of the NFL breakout stars. A Los Angeles Rams standout, Puka broke rookie records in 2023 for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) and made his first Pro Bowl selection.

Undeterred by a right knee sprain that kept him out of five games, Puka's play has placed the Nacua family name in the news at the NFL level.