Bills punter Matt Araiza implicated in ‘gang rape’ but what exactly happened?
The promising punter could be in serious trouble should the allegations against him prove to be true, but when looking at them, that’s only fitting.
If the reports prove to be true this could well spell the end of the young man’s career, but that’s nothing in comparison to what the young woman lost.
Bills punter Matt Araiza accused of gang rape involvement
According to reports this week, Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza, along with one former and one current San Diego State football player, have been accused of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl at a house party last year.
Araiza, who was in fact one of college football’s best punters last season, is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse in the early hours of October 17th, 2021, with a high-school senior outside of an off-campus party that was held at his residence. It is alleged, that after the act Araiza then escorted the young woman to a room where she was then raped by Araiza and at least three other men for approximately an hour and a half. All three have been accused of rape, gender violence and false imprisonment.
Matt Araiza’s lawyer has his say
Speaking on behalf of his client, Araiza’s attorney Kerry Armstrong indicated that the rape accusation is false and that his investigator actually spoke with witnesses. Indeed, Armstrong went on to state that said witnesses gave a very different account of what happened on the night. “It’s a shakedown because he’s now with the Buffalo Bills,” Armstrong said. “There is no doubt in my mind that Matt Araiza [never] raped that girl.”
The details of the civil suit against Matt Araiza
First reported by the Los Angeles times, the suit describes in grim detail the terrible situation which unfolded that night. As per the filing, a minor named Jane Doe – she was underage at the time – shifted in and out of consciousness, but remembered moments in which the men took turns on her. The suit also goes on to indicated that her nose, belly button and ear piercings had been ripped out during the ordeal and that she was in fact bleeding from her vagina.
Doe goes on to allege that Araiza was conscious of the fact that she was still in high school. Additionally, she also disclosed that at one point Araiza handed her a drink though she did not see him pour it himself. There is the belief that based on her account that there may have been other “intoxicating substances” in the drink aside from alcohol.
The Buffalo Bills and the NFL comment on Matt Araiza’s rape allegations
Having recently secured the punting spot this week, Araiza came to the Bills with some degree of anticipation. With veteran Matt Haack now released and subsequently acquired by the Indianapolis Colts, there was a degree of excitement surrounding the rookie’s appointment. Even more so, when considering the fact that he recently recorded an 82-yard punt, which traveled more than 75 yards in the air in Week 1 of the preseason. A fitting accomplishment for player whose nickname is “Punt God.”
Where the Bills themselves are concerned, the franchise gave a brief statement indicating that they were aware of the situation in which Araiza was involved, but preferred to give no further comment at this time. “We were recently made aware of a civil complaint involving Matt from October 2021,” said the Bills’ statement on Thursday. “Due to the serious nature of the complaint, we conducted a thorough examination of this matter. As this is an ongoing civil case, we will have no other comment at this point.” Interestingly, the NFL also stated that it was aware of the situation, however, due to the fact that the alleged rape occurred before Araiza was drafted, he will not be subject to the league’s personal conduct policy.