Two days after a lawsuit was filed alleging that Matt Araiza and two college teammates gang-raped a teenager last fall, the Buffalo Bills changed direction by releasing the rookie punter.
Monday’s release of returning punter Matt Haack paved the way for Araiza to take over the team’s punting duties, prompting the Bills to break connections with their sixth-round draft pick out of San Diego State.
Even though the Bills were aware of the allegations brought against Araiza since late July, they chose to retain him. The following day, the team defended the player by claiming it “conducted a comprehensive investigation” into the situation. Friday, the attorney for the alleged victim stated that the Bills never contacted him for additional information.
Pitcher Matt Araiza has been released. pic.twitter.com/dlmKJnEj7v
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 27, 2022
Araiza’s release begins to alleviate a crisis that has shook the squad, as evidenced by head coach Sean McDermott’s inability to suppress his emotions while discussing the subject after Friday night’s 21-0 preseason loss in Carolina.
McDermott stated, without elaborating, that he was ignorant of some of the discoveries that surfaced after the complaint was filed a day earlier, and that the team has work to do to uncover the truth.
“We do not take the situation lightly. I’m hurt, and I feel their pain “McDermott said this in reference to the Buffalo crowd. “It is difficult to hear about some of the things I’ve heard in the previous couple hours. To be honest, I haven’t had much sleep.”
McDermott made the decision not to play Araiza against Carolina. The athlete viewed the game from an undisclosed location and issued the following statement through his agent, Joe Linta: “The incident did not occur as the lawsuit and the press portray it. I eagerly anticipate soon correcting the record.”
Without another punter on the roster, Matt Barkley, the third-string quarterback, punted.
A lawsuit filed in San Diego County Superior Court alleged that Araiza and two colleagues raped a 17-year-old girl during a Halloween party at Araiza’s off-campus residence. A San Diego police investigation has been transferred to the office of the district attorney, who will decide whether or not to file charges. Friday, DA spokesperson Tanya Sierra stated that there is no deadline for a decision.
The focus in Buffalo switches to why the Bills were unaware of the allegations against Araiza when they selected him in the sixth round in the April selection. Although he was the best punter in college football last season and earned the nickname “Punt God” for his powerful left leg, Araiza was the third punter taken in the draft.
Uncertain if Araiza alerted the NFL of the claims in the months preceding the draft.
The Associated Press was informed by executives from two different clubs that they became aware of Araiza’s involvement in an incident during the draft process, but neither individual knew the nature of the charges. Executives from three other teams stated that they were unaware of the charges against Araiza prior to the draft, learning about the incident on Thursday. Due to the sensitivity of the subject, everyone who spoke to The Associated Press did so on condition of anonymity.
Uncertain as to when the Bills first became aware of the allegations, their legal counsel, Kathryn D’Angelo, was approached via email at the end of July by Dan Gilleon, the attorney representing the claimed victim described in the lawsuit as “Jane Doe.”
“She appeared to be anxious. She promised to communicate with me, but never did “Gilleon claimed. “I even followed up by saying, ‘Hey, you guys haven’t talked to me or contacted me back as promised.’ Moreover, they disregarded that as well.”
Without specifying when, Kerry Armstrong, Araiza’s attorney, stated that he also instructed his client to be forthright and inform the Bills of the claims. Armstrong stated that he has been in constant communication with the Bills over the past month to share specifics of his own investigation into the incident.
Armstrong stated, “I absolutely do not believe he ever forcibly raped this girl or had sex with her while she was passed out or drunk.”
The Bills also undertook a “thorough assessment,” which ultimately led to their decision to release Haack.
The Bills informed the NFL of the event as they became aware of it, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke with The Associated Press. The individual, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic, was uncertain about the timetable.
The NFL declined to comment beyond confirming that it was aware of the situation.
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