Bills releases punter Matt Araiza after gang rape charges

Punter Matt Araiza has been released by the Bills after a lawsuit was filed last Thursday accusing him of raping a minor, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane announced Saturday.

The 22-year-old rookie is facing a civil lawsuit that was filed Thursday that claims Araiza and two of his San Diego State soccer teammates raped a 17-year-old girl who said she was in drunk to the point of slipping in and out of consciousness. The incident allegedly took place last year at an off-campus party.

The lawsuit also claimed the gambler gave the victim a drink at a party that “contained not only alcohol, but other intoxicating substances.”

Before the Bills decided to release Araiza, the team said they were aware of the allegations regarding Araiza last month and looked into the situation. According to Athletic, the Bills « didn’t know » when they picked Araiza in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Araiza said in a press release Friday before being released, the incident is not “what they are portrayed in the trial or in the press”.

Araiza, dubbed the « Punt God » for his explosive punts during his time at San Diego State, was expected to be the Bills’ starting punter after playing well in the preseason – and after the team waived Matt Haack .