San Diego, Calif. (WBEN/WGR 550) - According to multiple reports, evidence has revealed that former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza was not present at the time an alleged gang rape occurred at a party that took place in October of 2021 while he was still attending San Diego State University.
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According to ESPN Bills beat reporter Alaina Getzenberg, prosecutors say Araiza was not visible in any videos recovered from the night in question. This is according to audio obtained from a meeting between San Diego deputy district attorney Trisha Amador and the woman who filed a civil lawsuit last year against Araiza.
This meeting took place back on Dec. 7 when it was made known to the woman that no criminal charges were to be filed against Araiza or two of his teammates that were also alleged to be involved.
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According to Getzenberg's report, Amador told the woman Araiza left the off-campus party about an hour before the time of the alleged gang rape, according to one witness testimony. She said Araiza had, allegedly, left the party at around 12:30 a.m. PT that night when the alleged incident took place close to 1:30 a.m. PT.
The civil lawsuit was filed against Araiza and his two San Diego State teammates back on Aug. 25 as the punter was preparing for his first season in the National Football League.
Just two days later, the Bills released their sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, with general manager Brandon Beane saying it was "the best move for everyone to move on from Matt and let him take care of this situation and focus on that."
This now potentially opens the door for Araiza to finally begin his NFL career and sign with a new team this offseason. The 22-year-old, nicknamed the "Punt God" while at San Diego State, was a former Ray Guy Award winner in 2021 as college football's top punter, and was also a Unanimous All-American at the position that season.