Bills Ex Matt Araiza Works Out for Jets
Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza is finally beginning to speak out after recent legal findings. And teams around the league are apparently listening.
Araiza, a sixth-round pick last season, was cut by the Bills on Aug. 27 after a civil lawsuit alleged he and two others gang raped a minor while at San Diego State University. But after favorable evidence helped clear his name of any wrongdoing, he’s now getting another shot at the NFL.
The Bills’ AFC East rival New York Jets hosted Araiza for a free agency workout on Tuesday, his agency told ESPN. If all goes well, Araiza could now potentially play the team that drafted him twice a year while also getting to join an exciting squad that just added quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason.
Questions about Araiza’s legal case certainly won’t go away, but he’s got the evidence to back him up.
Prosecutors "declined" to pursue criminal charges against him. Now, after having his named cleared and being released from all potential charges in December, more evidence is favoring Araiza’s side of things.
Per reports Friday from ESPN, San Diego State, where Araiza played collegiately, “concluded that there are no findings against former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza after conducting an investigation into allegations of rape and gang rape.” After being associated with some harsh and disturbing charges, Araiza has now taken another step toward rebuilding a potential career for himself.
Araiza spoke publicly for the first time since his release on Tomi Lahren's show and discussed how the Bills handled the process.
"It wasn't for talent," Araiza said. " ... I was cut because of these allegations. I hold nothing against the Buffalo Bills. I wish things were handled differently, but they did treat me with respect which I appreciate."
Araiza said he understood why the team had to cut ties with him due to the nature of the allegations.
"It's just the climate of how things are now," Araiza said. "Accusations bring so much hate to anyone who decides to stand by the accuser that they were kind of forced to cut me from the team.”
He also said that the Bills "knew the truth," but understandably couldn't keep him on the team.
"Prior to me being cut, for about a month they were in on all of the information," Araiza said. "I gave my attorney the green light to keep them in the loop. ... They knew the truth, but the accusations were strong enough that they had to cut me."
The allegations were certainly strong, something that Bills general manager Brandon Beanes said was "bigger than football" after Araiza was released.
"This is bigger than football," Beane said. "Let's just step back and (let Araiza) go handle this. That's what we thought was most important."
It had remained to be seen if other teams still felt the same way as Beane did. But the Jets are now the first ones to emerge and a take a risk on Araiza.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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