The Kansas City Chiefs have won the Super Bowl in back-to-back years, the first NFL team to do so since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the 2000’s. Their goal for the 2024 season, of course, is to be the first NFL team to win three-straight Championships since the 1965-67 Green Bay Packers (their run included the 1965 NFL Championship and Super Bowls I and II).
In order to repeat, the Chiefs need to set about re-tooling their roster and replacing players that will leave in free agency. One of these players that was believed to leave was punter Tommy Townsend. Anticipating his departure for a larger salary elsewhere, the Chiefs decided to sign former 2022 sixth round pick Matt Araiza.
New Kansas City Chiefs Punter Matt Araiza Was Cut by the Buffalo Bills Following Serious Allegations
Sd 081322 Bills 77 Spts
Nicknamed the Punt God for his booming kicks at San Diego State University, Matt Araiza was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022. He had a good training camp and preseason, earning the starting role on the Bills’ special teams.
However, before the season began, Araiza was named in a lawsuit in which he was accused of raping a woman while at a party in college. The Bills promptly released him. The woman who brought the accusations against Araiza and other football players from San Diego State was 17 at the time of the alleged incident. Araiza was 20 years old at the time.
Matt Araiza’s Name Was Dropped from the Lawsuit in December 2023
Soon after being named in the lawsuit, Araiza countersued the defendant for defamation. Investigations by both authorities and San Diego State found that the punter was not even at the party at the time that the alleged assault took place. Transcripts of interviews between the authorities and the accuser reveal that she had lied:
Witness interviews from the party, including two of the girl’s own friends whom she arrived with, said that she didn’t appear to be drunk at the time. Other witnesses said the girl was telling people she was 18.
“A witness who was in the house gave a statement saying that at — at least one point in the party, that you made a statement telling people at the party you were 18,” Amador explained to the accuser. “Another witness at the party, a different one, says that they specifically heard you say you were 18 …”
Amador also explained to the girl that additional witness testimony alleged that at this period of time, “you were approaching men at the party saying, ‘I want you to [expletive] me and if you don’t [expletive] me you’re a [expletive].”
While there is still a civil suit ongoing against other football players, the authorities have decided not to press charges. As mentioned, Araiza was dropped from the lawsuit.
Fans React to the Kansas City Chiefs Signing Matt Araiza
Sd 081122 Bills Camp 17 Spts
Regardless of being dropped from the lawsuit, Araiza has already been convicted in the court of public opinion, as many reactions to the signing on social media indicate:
can the swifties lock in here for a second https://t.co/nwYsJhRTNw
— 🌸sports tweeter Matthias🌸 (tonesetter) (@KryzivenTake2) February 22, 2024
Welcome to the league moment for the swifties https://t.co/gCmhtRUv6i
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) February 23, 2024
burning goodwill on a punter is insane most teams only absorb this kinda PR hit for a gamebreaking edge rusher or something https://t.co/Pf9Tht4THx
— lil bump stock (@m_booker1) February 22, 2024
Swifties bouta get this bum put in the lowest level of Impel Down https://t.co/YYGnZoHZXF
— Antonio Perez (@TonePerez17) February 23, 2024
Bills fans in tears because the Chiefs signed our former rapist punter
What a sport man https://t.co/S0sRBX0nZs
— WhatAYoke (@WhatYoke) February 23, 2024
he lied about having an STD which still makes him a rapist https://t.co/e0V7bFEOFQ
— brandon (@17For6) February 22, 2024
All imma say is this dude might be innocent of what he was charged with but he’s not a good dude. Just saying. https://t.co/wqHcQQuOcj
— Sports With X (@sportswithx) February 23, 2024
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