Turns out Matt Araiza is actually not back playing football again.
Last week, it was reported that the former Buffalo Bills punter, who was released amid gang-rape allegations last offseason had signed with Galgos de Tijuana of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional in Mexico.
Not only that, the team itself also posted to social media that Araiza joined Tijuana.
An update now says otherwise.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Araiza’s agent told him that the punter did not sign with the Mexican team. Instead, he remains a free agent and is hoping for a NFL opportunity.
Adding to the twist: Tijuana has not taken down the post which indicates he joined the club:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CovI4pSyZzY/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=cabf6547-aef1-462a-9e22-2d54d5e689d5
Araiza was a sixth-round pick of the Bills at the 2022 NFL draft. On Aug. 25 shortly after the team awarded Araiza the starting punting job, the allegation surfaced and he was released only days later.
Since then, Araiza had initially and continues to maintain innocence and in December the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced Araiza and none of his former teammates would be charged.
A trail for a civil suit is scheduled for October.
Nicknamed the “Punt God” in college for his booming kicks at the college level, Araiza has yet to have any connection to any NFL club since being released by the Bills–but he clearly remains hopeful.
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