Buffalo Bills releases Punter Matt Araiza amid allegations of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl

August 29, 2022

57

Buffalo Bills Punter Matt Araiza was recently accused of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl as per the reports of TMZ. It has come to light that he has been released by the team as the organization announced on the weekend. TMZ Sports had reported that the 22-year-old Araiza was sued in San Diego County Superior Court last week. The victim was identified as Jane Doe in the suit and the incident reportedly transpired at a Halloween party at his house on October 17, 2021.

Buffalo Bills decided to part ways with Matt Araiza

The victim stated that she was inebriated upon arriving at the party. She accused Matt Araiza gave her a drink that she later believed contained “other intoxicating substances.”

Doe claims the two engaged in sexual acts outside of the punter’s home.

She claimed Araiza then led her inside and threw her onto a bed. She claims he gang raped her with two of his Aztecs teammates, Nowlin “Pa’a” Ewaliko and Zavier Leonard, who are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.

The woman claims the sexual abuse went on for about an hour and a half, before the party was eventually shut down. In the suit, she says she “stumbled out of the room bloody and crying.”

Doe is suing Matt Araiza, Ewaliko and Leonard for unspecified damages. However, Araiza who is regarded as ‘Punt God’ denied the claims stating that“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.”

The Bills initially issued a statement stating they “conducted a thorough examination,” but couldn’t comment further due to the active suit.

Buffalo Bills issues a statement

However, after dropping Matt Araiza during Friday night’s preseason game, the Bills announced Saturday afternoon they were parting ways with the league’s most talked about punter.

Buffalo GM Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermottbriefly met with the media, telling reporters the situation was bigger than football, adding Matt must deal with the serious issue. As for specifically when the organization learned or the incredibly troubling allegations, Beane said the following:

“I know it’s a question of when did we hear this or what was the timeline — late July from her representative spoke to [Bills attorney Kathryn D’Angelo] and laid out some of the things that they were accusing Matt and others of. At that time, our process, we tried to be thorough and thoughtful. Not rush to judgment, and I would say it’s not easy. You’re trying to put facts around a legal situation, sometimes with limited information. So, ultimately that’s where we’re at today with the decision.”

Buffalo Bills releases Punter Matt Araiza amid allegations of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl

Buffalo Bills decided to part ways with Matt Araiza

Buffalo Bills issues a statement

RELATED ARTICLES

Subscribe to get notified for latest news and updates

Latest Articles

More from author

Subscribe to get notified for latest news and updates

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US