Ex-SDSU punter Matt Araiza signs with Kansas City Chiefs

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Former San Diego State football player Matt Araiza has been signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, his agency announced in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

It marks the the punter’s return to the National Football League nearly two years since he was released by the Buffalo Bills after a lawsuit alleged a gang rape of an underage girl at an off-campus house party in October 2021.

His accuser, known as Jane Doe, has since dismissed Araiza from her ongoing lawsuit. The 23-year-old, who had also filed a counter defamation suit against the young woman, also dropped his legal challenge as part of a settlement agreement between the two parties.

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“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the (Chiefs),” Araiza said in the statement. “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.”

Araiza’s legal team announced the settlement with Doe in December of last year. In a press conference the following day, the punter reflected on the lawsuit and how it changed the trajectory of his life.

“My name, my reputation — this will be tied to me forever, that won’t go away,” he said. “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.”

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The lawsuit was brought by Doe after prosecutors with the San Diego County District Attorney’s office opted not to pursue criminal charges against the punter and his teammates who were also accused of participating in the assault.

Araiza denied the allegations, but did admit to having consensual interactions with Doe, then 17-years-old, at the house party. His attorneys contended that photos and videos captured during the night did not place him in the bedroom where the alleged rape took place.

Doe’s lawsuit remains ongoing against the other SDSU football players named in the complaint. No date has been set for the trial in the lawsuit.

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Araiza’s move to the Chiefs makes it likely that All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend will not re-sign with the Chiefs after his four-year, two-Super Bowl run in Kansas City.

Araiza was an all-conference, Ray Guy Award-winning punter at SDSU before he was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was slated to become the Bills’ starting punter before he was dropped.

“We are grateful to Brett Veach, coach Reid and the (Chiefs) organization for giving Matt this opportunity,” Araiza’s agency, JL Sports, said in their post on X announcing the move. “Matt has been to hell and back in the last 18 months. He has handled himself with grace.”

WDAF’s PJ Green contributed to this report.

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