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By Will Crois
Special to the Express
The court case involving Matt Araiza, a former punter for the Buffalo Bills, was about a rape allegation made by a woman who claimed that Araiza and two of his former teammates at San Diego State University sexually assaulted her at a party in October 2022
Araiza refuted the accusation and stated that he had consensual sex with the woman.
In December 2023, prosecutors decided not to press any criminal charges against Araiza, citing lack of evidence and conflicting statements from the witnesses. The woman also agreed to drop the civil lawsuit against Araiza, while Araiza dropped his defamation countersuit against her.
Araiza, who was drafted by the Bills in 2022 but released after the lawsuit was filed, remains a free agent and has not played in the NFL He said the case has damaged his reputation and caused pain to his family
Pros
Matthew Ryan Araiza (born May 16, 2000) is an American football punter who is a free agent. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, setting the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season record for average punt yardage as a junior. Araiza entered the National Football League (NFL) as a sixth-round selection by the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he was released prior to the 2022 season after being accused in a lawsuit of gang rape. The San Diego County District Attorney declined to press criminal charges.
Against
The particulars of this case are conspicuous and confusing. Araiza initially acknowledged having consensual sex with a 17-year-old girl, but was terminated by the Buffalo Bills after discovering the lawsuit against him.
It has come to our attention a year later that the court is now stating that he was not even present in the building where the crime took place, and his friend is one of the witnesses to this.
My Take
Araiza could be beneficial for the Bills organization, but we have Sam Martin, who is also proficient at punting. Araiza impressed the Bills with a 89 yard punt that would leave your team on the eleven yard line and fourth down. How often is your offense In that predicament? I believe Martin is capable of providing more accuracy from a punter.
Ultimately, I would remain with Sam.
