Bills Central

Ex Bills Punter Matt Araiza Signs with New Team

Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza was cut by the team on Aug. 27 after rape allegations surfaced. But now, the former sixth-round pick is getting another playing opportunity.

Zach Dimmitt

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Former Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza was cut by the team on Aug. 27 after a civil lawsuit alleged he and two other gang raped a minor while at San Diego State University.

But now, the former sixth-round pick is getting another playing opportunity. Galgos de Tijuana, a professional football team in the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional, announced Thursday the signing of Araiza.

Tijuana, which borders California and is only about a 30-minute drive south of San Diego State, will place Araiza right next to where he played collegiality for three seasons.

Despite gaining fame for a booming leg that earned him the title of "Punt God," Araiza's playing career with the Bills was over before it began after the disturbing details of the allegations emerged. Buffalo released him just two days after the lawsuit was filed.

"This is bigger than football," Bills general manager Brandon Beane said after Araiza's release. "Let's just step back and (let Araiza) go handle this. That's what we thought was most important."

However, prosecutors "declined" to pursue criminal charges against Araiza, per a report from The New York Times in December.

“Ultimately, prosecutors determined it is clear the evidence does not support the filing of criminal charges and there is no path to a potential criminal conviction,” a statement released by the office of Summer Stephan, the San Diego County district attorney, said. “Prosecutors can only file charges when they ethically believe they can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Araiza will now look to get his playing career back on track with the Galgos. The team begins its season on March 4.

You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

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