Super Bowl champion Chiefs sign punter Matt Araiza after female dropped rape suit against him; accusation cost him 2 seasons



The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have signed punter Matt Araiza after a female dropped a rape lawsuit against him in December. The Buffalo Bills cut Araiza days after the suit was filed in August 2022 — his rookie season — and he's been out of the NFL ever since. He's always maintained his innocence.

"I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the @Chiefs," Araiza said in a statement released through his agent, ESPN reported. "I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career. I want to thank my family, who have been my rock and my many friends who have been unwavering in their support. I am excited to begin the next phase of my career with the Super Bowl Champs!"

Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March, ESPN said, adding that Townsend was a first-team All-Pro and chosen for the 2022 Pro Bowl.

What's the background?

Araiza was nicknamed “the Punt God” at San Diego State, where he averaged 51.19 yards per punt during the 2021 college season, an NCAA single-season record, the Buffalo News said, adding that he won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best college punter.

Araiza appeared to have won the punting job during the Buffalo Bills' 2022 training camp, but the team cut him two days after the rape accusation. Araiza had signed a four-year contract with the Bills that would have been worth $3.8 million had he played all four years of the deal, the Buffalo News said. Araiza ended up missing the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The San Diego District Attorney's Office concluded that Araiza could not have been part of the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old in October 2021 because he left the off-campus party at least an hour before the incident allegedly occurred. While Araiza said he and his accuser had consensual sex outside the house earlier in the evening, he said he never entered the home, ESPN noted, adding that the district attorney's office couldn't prove Araiza knew the accuser's age or intoxication level. Prosectors announced in December 2022 that they wouldn't press any criminal charges against Araiza. San Diego State University said in May there were no findings against Araiza after investigating allegations of rape and gang rape, ESPN also said.

In conjunction with his accuser — called Jane Doe — dropping her lawsuit against him, Araiza agreed to dismiss a defamation suit against her filed in July 2023, ESPN said in a separate report.

Araiza's lawyers, Dick Semerdjian and Kristen Bush, said in a statement that Araiza always has maintained his innocence and that he will never get back the time spent defending himself from the accusations, ESPN added.

"Thankfully, there was extensive evidence that was key to securing Matt's voluntary dismissal from this lawsuit," the statement said, according to ESPN. "Matt was and has always been innocent. The case is over, and Matt has prevailed."

Bills took different approach with different player

About a week before the rape lawsuit against Araiza was dismissed, Bills general manager Brandon Beane said linebacker Von Miller — accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend — was available to play in a game against the Chiefs while the legal process proceeded.

"We only have so many of the facts," Beane said in a press conference in regard to Miller. "If you look around this country, you see plenty of rushes to judgment. ... We're just trying to do the right thing."

— (@)

In regard to the Bills releasing Araiza days after the rape accusation, Beane at the time said it “was the best move for everyone to move on from Matt and let him take care of this situation," the Buffalo News reported.

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Female who accused NFL punter of rape drops lawsuit against him. Anger boils over at accuser and Buffalo Bills, who cut him.



The female who accused then-NFL punter Matt Araiza of rape in August 2022 — an allegation that led the Buffalo Bills to cut him two days later, halting his career — has dropped her lawsuit against him.

Now anger is boiling over at the accuser and the Bills.

What are the details?

His lawyers, Dick Semerdjian and Kristen Bush, said in a statement that Araiza has always maintained his innocence and that he will never get back the time spent defending himself from the accusations, ESPN reported.

"Thankfully, there was extensive evidence that was key to securing Matt's voluntary dismissal from this lawsuit," the statement said, according to ESPN. "Matt was and has always been innocent. The case is over, and Matt has prevailed."

His lawyers said Araiza fully intends to return to the NFL, ESPN added.

Araiza was nicknamed “the Punt God” at San Diego State, where he averaged 51.19 yards per punt during the 2021 college season, an NCAA single-season record, the Buffalo News said, adding that he won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best college punter.

Araiza appeared to have won the punting job during the Bills' 2022 training camp, but the team cut him soon after the rape accusation. Araiza had signed a four-year contract with the Bills that would have been worth $3.8 million had he played all four years of the deal, the Buffalo News said.

He missed the 2022 season and the current season.

The San Diego District Attorney's Office concluded that Araiza could not have been part of the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old in October 2021 because he left the off-campus party at least an hour before the incident allegedly occurred. While Araiza said he and his accuser had consensual sex outside the house earlier in the evening, he said he never entered the home, ESPN noted, adding that the district attorney's office couldn't prove Araiza knew the accuser's age or intoxication level. Prosectors announced in December 2022 that they wouldn't press any criminal charges against Araiza. San Diego State University said in May there were no findings against Araiza after investigating allegations of rape and gang rape, ESPN also said.

'She should be charged with a crime'

In the wake of Araiza's accuser dropping her lawsuit against him, a number of voices have risen up in anger at her, the Bills, and the NFL.

  • "She should be charged with a crime for lying about sexual assault and face the same punishment that Araiza would have faced," OutKick's Clay Travis said.
  • "The NFL owes @matt_araiza an apology. The Bills owe him back pay. And Punt God must be brought back to the league!" Greg Price declared.
  • "Matt Araiza is 100% innocent and did absolutely nothing wrong," Nick Adams said. "His dishonest accuser should be the one facing criminal charges."
  • "I legit feel for this kid," author Jeff Pearlman said in reference to Araiza.
  • "Haven’t we learned not to rush to judgment?" OutKick's Dan Dakich asked. "Too many cases tell us let the investigation take place before condemnation."

In conjunction with his accuser — called Jane Doe — dropping her lawsuit against him, Araiza agreed to dismiss a defamation suit against her filed in July 2023, ESPN said.

More from the news network:

Doe retains the right to continue the suit against the four other named defendants, former San Diego State teammates of Araiza. No money will be exchanged in the settlement agreement. Araiza also maintains the ability to sue the plaintiff's attorney, Dan Gilleon, and his law office, and he has retained counsel to do so.

ESPN said Gilleon did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Bills taking different approach with different player

Interestingly, Bills general manager Brandon Beane last week said linebacker Von Miller — accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend — was available to play in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs while the team let the legal process proceed.

"We only have so many of the facts," Beane said in a press conference in regard to Miller. "If you look around this country, you see plenty of rushes to judgment. ... We're just trying to do the right thing."

— (@)

In regard to the Bills releasing Araiza days after the rape accusation, Beane at the time said it “was the best move for everyone to move on from Matt and let him take care of this situation," the Buffalo News reported.

Araiza Lawsuits Dismissed youtu.be

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Matt Araiza falsely accused; will there be any justice?



Matt Araiza was a punter for the Buffalo Bills until a 17-year-old girl accused him of sexually assaulting her at a party.

Araiza denied all allegations, but the Bills still decided to cut him from the roster.

Araiza, who was nicknamed the “Punt God” and went to college at San Diego State, was drafted for his talent. His punt was only 16 yards behind the 1969 NFL record, which still stands at 98 yards.

While Araiza lost a promising career in the NFL because of the accusation, information has now been released that he wasn’t even at the party when the alleged rape occurred.

According to reports, there are videos of the accuser having sex at the same party with several different men.

Keith Malinak went on "Pat Gray Unleashed" to discuss.

“This guy has lost his job, his livelihood, his reputation. Will he ever be employed in the NFL?” Malinak asks.

Pat Gray believes that there should be repercussions for false accusations, “and they should be severe.”

Malinak suggests that a false accusation should warrant the same sentence that the accused rapist might have gotten.

“If it’s proven that you fabricated this, goodbye. Whatever the sentence would have been, put it in front of a judge and let him decide.”


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Prosecutors indicate that Bills punter whose life was ruined over rape accusation went home long before incident allegedly occurred



A pro football player accused of rape had his career upended and life ruined over something prosecutors now indicate he could not possibly have done.

Matt Araiza was a top punter in the NFL whose record-breaking NCAA career secured him the nickname "Punt God." Last summer, Araiza was accused along with two San Diego State University football players of gang-raping a 17-year-old at an off-campus party in 2021.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Araiza was accused of having sex with the minor outside the home and then bringing her inside, where she was allegedly repeatedly raped for over an hour.

While the then-high school senior reported slipping in and out of consciousness, she claimed to remember moments of various men violating her.

A civil lawsuit was filed in August 2022 accusing Araiza, Zavier Leonard, and Nowlin Ewaliko of taking part in the alleged rape.

At the time, Araiza's lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, said the complaint was "a shakedown because he's now with the Buffalo Bills," stressing that there was "no doubt" Araiza was innocent.

Notwithstanding the punter's profession of innocence, the accusation marked the end of Araiza's career.

The Buffalo Bills, who had recently drafted him, cut him loose just days after the suit was filed amid media outrage.

"We have released Punter Matt Araiza," the NFL team said in a statement. "This afternoon, we decided that releasing Matt Araiza was the best thing to do. Our culture in Buffalo is more important than winning football games."

General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott addressed the matter at a press conference, calling it "tough" for everyone involved, reported ABC News.

"It's been tough. And you know, we sympathize with this whole situation, all the parties involved, this young woman, what she went through, you know, you really feel bad for that whole situation. And, you know, ultimately this is a legal situation. We don't know, you know, all the facts," said Beane.

Araiza's lawyer Armstrong released a statement following the Bills' decision, writing, "I have not talked to Matt about this yet, but I sent him a text. I am sure he is very upset and disappointed that his career with the Bills ended not because he played poorly, but because of false allegations leveled against him by a young lady and her attorney. I hope he is back in the NFL soon. He deserves to be, as he is the hardest-working 22-year-old I know."

The 22-year-old punter said, "The facts of the incident are not what they are portrayed in the lawsuit or in the press. I look forward to quickly setting the record straight."

Yahoo Sports reported that the San Diego Police looked into the matter for nearly 10 months before forwarding the case to the San Diego District Attorney's Office without a recommendation for prosecution.

Following a 124-day investigation of their own, prosecutors announced on Dec. 7, 2022, that they would not press any criminal charges.

This week, Yahoo Sports provided detail concerning a newly revealed 200-plus page transcript of a 100-minute meeting in which San Diego Deputy District Attorney Trisha Amador explained the matter to the accuser and her attorneys.

In the explanation, the SDDA concluded Araiza could not have led the girl into the alleged rape because he had left the home at 12:30 a.m., at least an hour before the incident supposedly occurred.

"He wasn’t even at the party any more," said Amador. "All I know is that at that point, suspect Araiza is gone from the party."

Extra to highlighting how Araiza was not even present, the prosecutors explained to the accuser that it was unclear whether a gang rape had even occurred in the first place, as intermittent video recordings of the incident raised the possibility she may have just had consensual sex with the other men.

"In looking at the videos on the sex tape, I absolutely cannot prove any forcible sexual assault based upon what happened," said Amador.

The timestamped video evidence also reportedly substantiated witness claims that Araiza was not present.

According to additional witness interviews, the accuser and some high school friends "let themselves in through a back gate" and joined the party, telling people they were 18.

"A witness who was in the house gave a statement saying that at — at least one point in the party, that you made a statement telling people at the party you were 18," Amador told the accuser. "Another witness at the party, a different one, says that they specifically heard you say you were 18."

Amador indicated that the sexual encounter the accuser had earlier in the night with Araiza — who may have been led to believe she was 18 — appears to have been consensual.

"The witnesses say … that shortly after you arrived at the party, you left and came back shortly thereafter," said Amador. "And you told [a friend], 'I just had sex.' ... You didn’t appear unhappy. You appeared to be having fun and that the encounter on the side of the house with Matt, suspect Araiza, was consensual."

Amador further explained to the accuser that another witness explained that around that time, "You were approaching men at the party saying, 'I want you to [expletive] me and if you don’t [expletive] me you’re a [expletive].'"

In the lead-up to the alleged rape, Amador also indicated the accuser was not intoxicated as the civil suit otherwise suggests.

The accuser's attorney released a statement obtained by Outkick, writing, "Team Araiza continues to litigate the case in the media because they know the information they’re leaking has no relevance whatsoever to the lawsuit. Matt Araiza will dress up in a suit and tie for tv crews at a meaningless court hearing, but he won’t speak to the media like Jane Doe has and will continue to do."

Yahoo Sports indicated that Araiza, whose life was ruined by the apparently dubious accusations, hopes the NFL may consider bringing him back, even though the civil suit remains active.

Following the revelation that Araiza may be a man traduced, Dave Portnoy tweeted, "This is crazy. Guys life was ruined on rape accusations that he has always denied and now it comes out he wasn't even at the party when the alleged crime took place. The acquittal should be as loud if not louder than the accusations.'

Conservative commentator Mat Walsh responded, "False rape accusers should receive the same penalty that we give to rapists. Instead, in the vast majority of cases, they receive no penalty at all and are free to move on like nothing happened. It's unconscionable."

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