SAN FRANCISCO — Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua caught attention off the field this week after making a playful social media attempt to score a date with actress Sydney Sweeney on January 30. The “Sydney Sweeney date shot” quickly generated buzz, with Rams pass rusher Byron Young praising Nacua’s audacity during a conversation with The California Post on Wednesday.
Young expressed admiration for Nacua’s confidence in reaching out, referencing the famous saying,
“You miss 100 percent of the shots that you don’t take,”
highlighting the daring nature of the attempt. Nacua’s message to Sweeney came after he read an interview where she described wanting someone “athletic, outgoing and funny” who would be willing to “go skydiving with me.”
Responding directly to that criteria, Nacua tweeted, “Love skydiving,” signaling his interest and matching Sweeney’s adventurous spirit. As of now, there has been no public reply from Sweeney, but Young remains optimistic about Nacua’s chances.
I got confidence in him,
Young remarked.
I hope he gets there. I hope he gets the date. That’d definitely be a Hall of Fame move.
— Byron Young, Rams pass rusher
Despite this enthusiasm, Nacua shared with reporters at the Toyota Glow-Up Classic later Wednesday that he might be second-guessing his choice for a first date activity due to his personal fears.
I have an actual fear of heights,
Nacua admitted. So, it’ll be interesting.
Rams’ Teammates React to Nacua’s Social Media Move
The interplay between Nacua and Sweeney quickly became a talking point among Rams players and sports media. Byron Young’s lighthearted endorsement illustrated how teammates are embracing Nacua’s candid and bold nature off the gridiron. This type of personal interaction adds a humanizing layer to athletes often seen only for their on-field performances.
Young’s encouragement reflects the camaraderie within the Rams roster as well as the sense of humor and spontaneity fueling Nacua’s online presence. His willingness to publicly “shoot his shot” resonates especially because social media has become an arena for unconventional and viral engagements between celebrities and athletes.
Potential Impact and Next Steps for Nacua’s Bold Gesture
Although the status of any response from Sydney Sweeney remains unknown, Nacua’s public post shot reinforces how moments beyond football can capture fan interest and media attention. Should Sweeney respond or interact, it would likely further raise Nacua’s personal profile and generate cross-industry buzz between sports and entertainment.
Meanwhile, Nacua’s lighthearted confession about fearing heights presents an intriguing contrast to his adventurous tweet suggesting skydiving as a first-date activity. Whether the pair will take that leap—literally or figuratively—remains to be seen, but the story underscores how athletes are increasingly engaging with fans and celebrities in candid, unpredictable ways. For now, Rams supporters and sports observers will watch to see if this “date shot” turns into anything beyond a playful social media moment.
