Over the weekend, the Buffalo Bills released sixth-round rookie punter Matt Araiza amid allegations that he was part of a gang rape of a 17-year-old while he was still playing football at San Diego State.
The Bills may not have known about the allegations hanging over punter Matt Araiza when they drafted him, but at least two other teams had some red flags about him.
A report from the Associated Press’ John Wawrow indicates at least two teams had some knowledge that the Ray Guy Award winner was reportedly accused of something criminal.
“Executives from two different teams told The Associated Press they became aware of Araiza’s involvement in an incident during the draft process, but neither person knew the extent of the allegations,” Wawrow wrote.
Wawrow cited unnamed executives from three other teams who said they only became aware of Araiza’s alleged involvement when news of the lawsuit broke a few days ago.
Araiza denied the allegations in a statement released by his agent on Friday, but has not spoken publicly himself.
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“I am sure he is very upset and disappointed that his career with the Bills ended not because he played poorly but because of false allegations leveled against him by a young lady and her attorney,” Araiza’s lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, told the AP. “I hope he is back in the NFL soon.”
The liklihood of him ever getting back into the league is probably nonexistent.
