One Accusation & The Athlete’s Career Goes Down The Hill: Matt Araiza, Trevor Bauer On The Same Ship

Matt Araiza, a punter for the Chiefs, was released from his lawsuit in December after it was claimed he had raped a 17-year-old girl in 2021.

One Accusation & The Athlete’s Career Goes Down The Hill: Matt Araiza, Trevor Bauer On The Same Ship

Agent Joe Linta posted on X, saying, “We are grateful to Brett Veach, coach Reid, and the @Chiefs organization for giving Matt this opportunity.”

Regretfully, Araiza’s most well-known incident may be the Buffalo Bills releasing him in August 2022—two days after a lawsuit alleging he and two other players had raped a 17-year-old girl in 2021.

There were no criminal charges (or ever were). When Araiza was abruptly released by the Bills, he hadn’t even officially answered to the case.

Following almost two seasons of football, the plaintiff and Araiza decided to end their  respective claims in December 2023.

“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the @Chiefs,” Araiza said in a statement released through his agent. “I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career. I want to thank my family, who have been my rock and my many friends who have been unwavering in their support. I am excited to begin the next phase of my career with the Super Bowl Champs!”

Araiza, 23, attended San Diego State during his collegiate career. Despite never having participated in an NFL game, he was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Shortly after being implicated in the rape case, Araiza was released by the Bills in the summer of 2022.

When it comes to movie stars, singers, or even regular doctors, lawyers, or accountants, athletes have a far shorter shelf life. Whether they are well-known or not, other professions just have a longer time to work and make money, thus they are less susceptible to a multiyear break in their careers.

Araiza’s rehired status stands in stark contrast to that of Trevor Bauer, the former MLB star pitcher who was accused of sexual assault and ultimately placed on leave, banned, and fired by the Dodgers before the claims could be thoroughly investigated and settled.

The same weaknesses affect even collegiate athletes. It may even be worse for these non-professionals, since roster selections based on unverified claims might bar them from ever playing professionally, even for a little period of time.

Araiza stated on Wednesday that he wants another opportunity to play in the NFL and that the experience has “changed me a lot.”

“My name, my reputation — this will be tied to me forever, that won’t go away,” he said at a news conference. “It was tough to watch the pain that it caused my family, because I have been proven innocent but they for sure had absolutely nothing to do with this.”

Araiza stated he keeps up his exercise regimen.

Who is known as the punt god?

After over a year and a half, Matt Araiza is back in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs and the athlete referred to as “Punt God” have reached an agreement.

Has Matt Araiza been charged?

After deputy district attorney Trisha Amador watched a video of the alleged assault, prosecutors decided in December 2022 not to file criminal charges against Araiza.

Is Matt Araiza left footed?

The left-footed kicker is still without experience in NFL regular season action. He received the highest accolade awarded to the finest collegiate punter in the country, the Ray Guy accolade, while attending San Diego State in 2021.

 

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