Fresh evidence in Matt Araiza's assault case has NFL fans sympathising with ex-Bills punter
It's been a difficult year for Matt Araiza, the punter who was taken in the sixth round of the 2022 draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Ariaza was cut by the team after rape accusations were levied against him. Evidence has now emerged that shows Matt Araiza was not present when the alleged assault took place.
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: New evidence now show that former #Bills Punter Matt Araiza was *NOT* present at the house when a woman alleged that he raped her, per @DanWetzel
Evidence instead show that the accuser was having consensual sex with several other men that night.
Araiza being… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/lNM0GxDy79
Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the situation, with many seeking charges against his accuser:
The Bills released punter Matt Araiza for an allegation of sexual assault that police proved was 100% a lie. Why shouldn’t his accuser face criminal charges for lying? He’s lost a year of his career & his good name. She has zero consequences. Not right: outkick.com/matt-araiza-lo…
Guilty until proven innocent. Matt Araiza deserves a public apology from all of the media outlets who crucified him and destroyed his reputation/career. The Bills should reinstate him, as well.
The accuser should go to jail. twitter.com/greg_price11/s…
Here is a journalist who covers the Bills everyday who said Matt Araiza admitted to a crime. That was 100% a lie back in August and was proven 100% a lie today. Will there be an apology or a story in the D&C that says the journalist was wrong, I'm not holding my breath. twitter.com/salmaiorana/st…
I really hope your apology and retraction is just as loud and passionate as your condemnation of Matt Araiza's supposed actions @stephenasmith and @MollyQerim. You should have probably been aware that the San Diego DA refused to prosecute, because there's video evidence,and… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/8crEuXQHJ1
The Matt Araiza story is 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 why innocence must be assumed until guilt is proven. Fabricated accusations have destroyed his career/life. This woman belongs in jail and she should pay millions in restoration. Araiza should also sue numerous media outlets for defamation.
If this holds up as true, plenty of people owe Matt Araiza an apology. Myself included. twitter.com/jasrifootball/…
These @BillsMafiaBabes who pressured the bills to cut #MattAraiza should be sued.
I feel SO bad for Matt Araiza.
Let this be an example to any “guilty until proven innocent,” type people that that is a very dangerous and unethical way to approach situations.
Lots of bills fans owe Matt Araiza an apology but they won't
Buffalo Bills cut Matt Araiza before the 2022 season
Matt Araiza's rape allegations came to light in August 2022 weeks before the start of the NFL season. After ten months the case was forwarded to the district attorney.
“Once inside, Araiza threw [the girl] onto the bed face first,” the lawsuit read. “[The girl] went in and in and out of consciousness while” suffering through “the horrific gang rape.” It lasted an hour and a half, the lawsuit read, before she “stumbled out of the room bloody and crying” in part because “multiple piercings had ripped through the skin during the attack.”
It was confirmed on December 7 that no criminal charges would follow. Deputy District Attorney Trisha Amidor said on the subject:
"The district attorney’s office concluded Araiza couldn’t have led the girl into the alleged gang rape because he had “left” the home at about 12:30 a.m., an hour prior to when evidence suggested the alleged gang rape would have occurred.
“He wasn’t even at the party anymore. In looking at the videos on the sex tape, I absolutely cannot prove any forceable sexual assault based upon what happened.”
The timeline prosecutors determined the incident occurred at 12.55 a.m., an hour and a half after Matt Araiza had left the party.
What next for Matt Araiza?
Ariaza did get one appearance in the preseason for the Bills before the case came to light. That punt against the Colts went 82 yards and resulted in a touchback.
Ariaza was known by the nickname "Punt God" after his college performances. His 79 punts in 2021 were third among all NCAA punters. He finished first in punting yards in 2021 for the NCAA, averaging 51.2 yards per punt.
Matt Ariaza was reported to have joined the Tijuana Galgos in February, however, this did not materialize.
Araiza is said to be looking to sign for an NFL team for the 2023 season, we will see if he is successful in his endeavours.