The NFL punter for the Buffalo Bills, Matt Araiza, has been released by the team a week after he was sued for an alleged gang-rape of a minor. Brandon Beane, the Buffalo general manager, made the announcement on Saturday.
On Thursday, the 22-year-old had a civil lawsuit filed against him which states that he and two of his San Diego State football teammates sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl. She said that she had been drunk and had been blacking out. The incident is said to have happened last year during an off-campus gathering.
The lawsuit also alleges that the punter provided the victim with an alcoholic drink at a party, and it included “other intoxicating substances,” as well.
The Bills had already stated that they were looking into the matter before choosing to release him. It is reported that the Bills weren’t aware of the allegations before choosing him in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
On Friday, through a statement, Araiza stated that the occurrence is not “what they are portrayed in the lawsuit or in the press.”
Araiza, also known as the “Punt God” was supposed to be the starting punter for the Bills. This came after he played very well during preseason and subsequent to the team waiving Matt Haack.
