Reigning Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs are signing punter Matt Araiza, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The news comes months after a woman dismissed a civil suit in December. The suit accused Araiza of sexual assault and gang rape at a party. Authorities had declined to pursue criminal charges against Araiza had determined he was not at the party when the gang rape occurred. Araiza admitted to having consensual sex with the girl, 17 at the time, but did not know she was underage and vehemently denied any other contact.
“We are proud to announce that our client [Matt Ariza] has signed with the #Chiefs,” JL Sports Agency, who represents Araiza wrote in a post to X. “We are grateful to Brett Veach, coach Reid and the Chiefs organization for giving Matt this opportunity. Matt has been to hell and back in the last 18 months. He has handled himself with grace and humility that is truly inspiring.
“Matt can now move forward knowing that this ordeal is behind him,” the post continued. “He is thrilled to move forward as a part of the #ChiefsKingdom.”
Araiza was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Coming off a historic college campaign at San Diego State, the rookie punter was cut by the Bills before being able to make his professional debut. In the time since his release, Araiza worked out for the Jets but did not sign him. One report from columnist Dan Wetzel suggested “numerous” NFL teams were hesitant to sign him with a civil suit still pending.
The Chiefs currently roster Tommy Townsend, who finished the 2023 season with 20 punts inside the 20 and a 15th-ranked net yard per punt of 41.9. Townsend’s leg was a major asset for Kansas City during Super Bowl LVIII, with two of his five punts pinning San Francisco inside the 20.
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