Matt Araiza Listed As An Accused of Gang Rape
Rookie Matt Araiza, who just won the Bills’ starting punter job, has been named as a defendant in a civil action filed by an 17-year-old woman who alleges that Araiza and two other football players from San Diego State sexually assaulted her in October.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the lady alleged that on October 17, 2021, the athletes raped her at an off-campus party. According to the Times, Nowlin “Pa’a” Ewaliko is no longer a member of the Aztecs program, although one of the other two players, Zavier Leonard, is.
Kerry Armstrong, Araiza’s attorney, refuted the charges.
Armstrong allegedly stated, according to the Los Angeles Times, “It’s a shakedown because he’s now with the Buffalo Bills.” “I am convinced that Matt Araiza ever raped that woman.”
https://twitter.com/PapaMeagzz/status/1562961557528539136?s=20&t=-Vm0eMgrXz-mfhRvRAJD6wnbsp
Matt Araiza responded to the charges in a statement sent by Adam Schefter.
“Neither the lawsuit nor the press accurately reflects the incident’s circumstances, “According to Schefter, Araiza added. “I’m looking forward to rapidly clearing the air.
A day after the event, the woman allegedly went to San Diego police and was examined at a nearby hospital, according to the lawsuit. In the investigation, no one has been taken into custody.
The Times article also made mention of the newspaper’s research into San Diego State officials’ alleged attempts to conceal or downplay the incident in the face of the team’s successful campaign last year. San Diego State finished 12-2, winning the Mountain West Western division.
I’ve spent 10 months as the #1 Matt Araiza supporter. I helped bring him to public attention, nicknamed him “Punt God” and enthusiastically cultivated a fandom around him.
Cut him ASAP. Easy call. He could kick it 1000 yards, and I would not care. He should not play in the NFL. https://t.co/2UH1tH9hjf
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 25, 2022
Are the Bills going to punish Matt Araiza?
Shortly after the Times’ report was published, the Bills issued a statement.
The Bills stated, “We were just made aware of a civil case involving Matt from October 2021. “We thoroughly investigated this situation because the complaint was so serious. We won’t have any more comments at this time because this is a civil lawsuit that is still pending.”
Matt Araiza, known as “Punt God” in college, was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and confusion proliferated. Despite being widely regarded as the undisputed best player at his position, he was chosen as the third punter. The accusations might shed light on Araiza’s dismissal.
It’s a wonderful afternoon to cut Matt Araiza. pic.twitter.com/vLwPLiKu8z
— Bricks (@BrianKoperski) August 26, 2022
Will Matt Araiza be disciplined by the NFL?
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted on Thursday that although the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy does not apply to conduct that takes place prior to a player’s entry into the league, the allegations may still be taken into account in the event that Araiza is later charged with an off-field offence.
FOR MORE NFL UPDATES –
