Matt Araiza, the former Bills punter who was released from Buffalo in the 2022 preseason following allegations of sexual assault, has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. This comes approximately two months after his accuser dropped the lawsuit against him.
Key Takeaway
Matt Araiza, after being released by the Buffalo Bills due to sexual assault allegations, has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs following the dropping of the lawsuit by his accuser. The player’s agents expressed gratitude for the opportunity and praised Araiza’s conduct throughout the ordeal.
Handling the Situation
Araiza’s agents took to social media to announce the signing, commending the player for his conduct since the allegations arose nearly two years ago. They expressed gratitude to Brett Veach, coach Andy Reid, and the entire Chiefs organization for providing Araiza with this opportunity. The agents also praised Araiza for his grace and humility throughout the challenging period.
The Allegations
The allegations against Araiza stemmed from a lawsuit filed in August 2022, in which his accuser claimed that Araiza and two of his college football teammates had sexually assaulted her at a Halloween party in 2021. Araiza vehemently denied the claims, and in December 2022, prosecutors announced that they would not pursue criminal charges against him, citing a lack of potential for a conviction.
Resolution
Fast forward to December 2023, Araiza’s attorneys revealed that the woman had dropped the lawsuit after reaching an agreement. It was emphasized that Araiza was not making any payments to the plaintiff and reserved the right to pursue legal action against the plaintiff’s attorney and their law office for the harm caused to him.
Opportunity with the Chiefs
Araiza, a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, had been set to be the Bills’ starting punter before the allegations surfaced. Now, he will be vying for the starting position with the Kansas City Chiefs, as the team’s current punter, Tommy Townsend, is anticipated to enter free agency this offseason.
