Charlotte, N.C. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills finished their 2022 preseason schedule Friday night with a 21-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
However, a much larger story took precedent over the Bills' preseason finale.
Back on Thursday, allegations surfaced in a civil lawsuit in California involving Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza. Araiza, along with two of his former San Diego State University teammates, have been accused of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl at an off-campus party on Oct. 21, 2021.
Since these allegations have surfaced, the Bills - along with Araiza and Jane Doe of the case - have all released their own statements as to what their involvement is in the situation.
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The Bills released this statement Thursday in regards to the case:
“We were recently made aware of a civil complaint involving Matt from October 2021. 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.”
As for Friday night's game, Araiza did travel with the team, but head coach Sean McDermott did not play nor dress the 22-year-old for the game.
"It was my decision and at the end of the day. I didn't feel like it was right. It wasn't right to do that," said McDermott following the game with the media.
McDermott's postgame comments were the first chance since the allegations surfaced that he was able to comment on the matter. The sixth-year head coach emphasized plenty that the team "has work to do."
"I can tell you this, my heart and my thoughts and prayers go out to the people involved. That includes Matt, that includes both sides here," McDermott said.
Backup quarterback Matt Barkley handled the team's punting duties for the game. He ended up punting four times for an average of 40 yards.
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McDermott also discussed the feelings in the locker room and throughout the organization on Friday, as the investigation into the case is still on-going. He also added he appreciates the players' effort in Friday's game, despite all that was happening off the field.
McDermott had no comment on Araiza's future with the team with the regular season opener less than two weeks away.
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Hear more of McDermott's postgame comments in the player below:
