The Buffalo Bills minimize rookie punter Matt Araiza on Saturday, two days after he was accused of raping a 17-year-old woman whereas at San Diego State.
Araiza, 22, was drafted within the sixth spherical after being nicknamed “Punt God” in school for his booming kicks. He had gained the Bills punter job within the days earlier than the allegations had been made public.
The alleged sufferer, now 18, filed a lawsuit Thursday saying Araiza raped her exterior his off-campus house in October 2021 in San Diego. In her lawsuit, the girl stated Araiza then took her inside the home, the place she was repeatedly raped for 90 minutes by two different males.
The different males accused, Zavier Leonard and Nowlin “Pa’a” Ewaliko, had been each members of the San Diego State soccer staff at totally different factors.
The lady’s attorneys stated they contacted the Bills and informed them concerning the allegations after they chose Araiza within the 2022 NFL Draft in April. However, the Bills took no obvious motion. In reality, they minimize all the opposite punters on their roster.
After the allegations had been reported Thursday, the Bills held Araiza out of their Friday night time preseason sport. Third-string quarterback Matt Barkley dealt with punting duties.
Araiza, by way of his lawyer, denied the allegations.
“I 100% do not believe that he ever forcibly raped this girl or had sex with her while she was passed out or drunk or anything like that,” legal professional Kerry Armstrong stated.
The lady’s legal professional defined that they tried to contact the Bills’ authorized counsel, Kathryn D’Angelo, in July however barely heard again.
“She seemed like she was concerned. She says she’ll get back to me, and then she never did,” legal professional Dan Gilleon stated. “I even followed up and said, ‘Hey, you guys haven’t talked to me and called me back like you said you would.′ And they just ignored that, too.”
The alleged sufferer went to police on the day after the assault. The cops investigated the case and handed it to the native district legal professional, who has not but determined whether or not to file costs.
With News Wire Services
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Source: www.bostonherald.com