Two days after a lawsuit was filed claiming that the player and two college teammates gang-raped a youngster last autumn, the Buffalo Bills changed direction and released rookie punter Matt Araiza on Saturday in the face of intense public reaction and internal debate about the choice.
The decision to part ways with their sixth-round draft selection from San Diego State was made after Buffalo released returning veteran Matt Haack on Monday, paving the way for Araiza to take over punting responsibilities.
Despite being aware of the accusations leveled against Araiza since late July, the Bills decided to retain him at that point. A day after the complaint was filed, the club defended the player by saying it “conducted a comprehensive study” into the situation.
After Friday night’s 21-0 preseason defeat against Carolina, coach Sean McDermott struggled to keep his emotions in check as he discussed the problem. Araiza’s dismissal marks the beginning of an end to the crisis that has rocked the squad.
On July 24, 2022, in Pittsford, New York, Matt Araiza of the Buffalo Bills punts during Bills training camp at Saint John Fisher University. Getty Pictures