The Buffalo Bills Cut Matt Araiza Over a Rape Accusation, but Key Evidence Vindicates Him

During the 2022 NFL draft, 21-year-old Matt Araiza—hailed by his fans as “punt god” for his record-breaking abilities as a kicker—was selected to join the Buffalo Bills. But later that year, in August, the team cut Araiza due to an allegation of sexual misconduct.

The allegation referenced events at an October 15, 2021 house party near the campus of San Diego State University (SDSU). A 17-year-old girl and her friends snuck into the party, where she encountered Araiza. According to her, Araiza led her into a bedroom where three men viciously assaulted and raped her. The girl has filed a civil lawsuit against him.

Prosecutors, however, have declined to file charges. Earlier this week, the reason for this became known: Yahoo! Sports obtained a 200-page transcript of a meeting between the prosecutors and the alleged victim in which the former explains to the latter why her accusation is impossible.

According to the authorities, eyewitness testimony establishes that Araiza left the party well before the point at which the girl claimed she was brought to the room where the alleged assault took place. In fact, authorities were hard-pressed to concede an assault had taken place at all; video footage of the sexual encounter suggested that it was consensual.

Interviews with more than 35 witnesses—including the girl’s friends—further undermine h