Former San Diego State Punter Matt Araiza Getting Another NFL Shot

Matt Araiza, who college football Twitter dubbed "Punt God" in 2021, announced Thursday that he will attempt a return to the NFL as a member of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

San Diego State's former award-winning specialist Matt Araiza was released by the Buffalo Bills in August of 2022 after he was named in a sexual assault lawsuit, along with multiple other former SDSU players, by a woman in San Diego. Araiza was officially dropped from the lawsuit in December.

"There was extensive evidence that was key to securing Matt's voluntary dismissal from this lawsuit," Araiza's lawyers Dick Semerdjian and Kristen Bush said in a statement, at the time. "Matt was and has always been innocent. The case is over, and Matt has prevailed."

The lawsuit will reportedly continue against four other former San Diego State players.

Araiza released the following statement through his representatives at JL Sports:

“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the Chiefs. I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career. I want to thank my family, who have been my rock and my many friends who have been unwavering in their support."

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With San Diego State, Araiza was a consensus All-American for the 2021 season. He also received the Ray Guy Award that year, given to the top punter in FBS. He led all FBS players in punt average (51.19) in 2021. He was a sixth-round pick by Buffalo in 2022.