Punter Matt Araiza, no longer facing rape lawsuit, signs with the Chiefs

Punter Matt Araiza, no longer facing rape lawsuit, signs with the Chiefs

Punter Matt Araiza is returning to the NFL as a member of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Drafted by the Bills in 2022 following a standout career at San Diego State, Araiza was released by Buffalo several months later after he was accused in a lawsuit of participating in the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl. Araiza was dropped from the lawsuit in December, and he agreed to dismiss a defamation countersuit against the girl. Prosecutors in San Diego County declined to press charges against him in late 2022. Araiza had been out of the NFL since being released by the Bills, though he reportedly had a tryout last year with the New York Jets.

On Thursday, he said he was “thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career.” “I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the Chiefs,” Araiza said in a statement shared by his agency, JL Sports. “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!”

Matt has been to hell and back in the last 18 months,” JL Sports said. “He has handled himself with grace and humility that is truly inspiring. “Matt can now move forward knowing that this ordeal is behind him.” Araiza, 23, joins a Chiefs squad that got a first-team All-Pro performance from punter Tommy Townsend in 2022. His statistical output dropped last season, but Townsend was still a steady part of a special teams unit that helped Kansas City win a second straight Super Bowl. The 27-year-old former Florida Gator is set to hit free agency when the new league year starts next month.

Araiza’s booming kicks earned him the nickname “Punt God” at San Diego State, where he won the 2021 Ray Guy Award as the best in the nation at his position. Araiza also served as a kicker for the Aztecs, making over 73 percent of his field goal attempts while accumulating 141 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Two of Araiza’s San Diego State teammates were also named in the lawsuit, which accused him of meeting the girl outside a house hosting an off-campus party and taking her to a room in which she was raped by multiple men. Araiza denied the allegations, including any knowledge of the girl’s age and possible level of intoxication. According to documents that emerged last year (via Yahoo Sports), prosecutors determined he had left the party before the alleged gang rape. A spokesman for the Chiefs did not respond immediately to a request for comment after Araiza was added to Kansas City’s official roster.

We are grateful to [general manager] Brett Veach, coach [Andy] Reid and the Chiefs organization for giving Matt this opportunity,” JL Sports said.

Get more related news on  https://sportviewers.com