Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Bills release P Matt Araiza amid allegations of sexual assualt

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/27/22

Earlier this week, a lawsuit emerged accusing Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza and two San Diego State football players of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl at an off-campus party.

On Saturday, the Bills released Araiza.

We have released Punter Matt Araiza. pic.twitter.com/dlmKJnEj7v
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 27, 2022

"This afternoon, we decided that releasing Matt Araiza was the best thing to do," GM Brandon Beane said. "Our culture in Buffalo is more important than winning football games."

The Bills weren't aware of the alleged assault by Araiza when they drafted him earlier this year. However, according to reports, the team has known about the incident for weeks.

Buffalo released a statement Thursday saying they "conducted a thorough examination" of the matter. Though Dan Gilleon, the lawyer for the accuser, says the team did not attempt to communicate with him or his client.

Buffalo drafted Araiza in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.

The Bills currently have no other punter on the roster. Backup quarterback Matt Barkley handled punting duties on Friday night.

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