Report: NFL 'Punt God' Matt Araiza part of lawsuit regarding rape allegations

Matt Araiza, the Buffalo Bills punter known as the “Punt God,” is part of a lawsuit regarding serious rape allegations, according to the Los Angeles Times. Thursday night, the team released a statement regarding the situation.

The incident occurred at a party in October 2021 when Araiza was allegedly part of a gang rape of a 17-year-old girl, according to TMZ. The victim, who claimed she was intoxicated when she got to Araiza’s home, said two of his San Diego State teammates were also part of the incident.

Araiza was a sixth-round pick of the Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft after making a name for himself at SDSU for his booming punts. In fact, in Buffalo’s most recent preseason game, he notched an 82-yard punt in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 14. The team said it’s aware of the situation, but didn’t have any further comment.

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“We were recently made aware of a civil complaint involving Matt from October 2021,” the Bills said in a statement. “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.”

Last season at San Diego State, Araiza led the nation with 51.19 yards per punt and 288.9 punting yards per game to help the Aztecs to a 12-2 record, including a 7-1 record in Mountain West play, and a Frisco Bowl apperance. He was a unanimous All-American selection and won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best punter. Buffalo was gearing up to name him its starting punter for the 2022 season after Matt Haack signed with the Colts.

The Bills are preparing to start the 2022 season against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football Sept. 8.