Matt Araiza reveals he is ‘unwilling to settle’ ongoing civil lawsuit in fight to clear his name

Former Buffalo Bills punter is unwilling to settle in the civil case against a then-17-year-old girl, who accused him and other San Diego State football players of gang raping her at an off-campus party in 2021. 

Recently, it was revealed by the San Diego district attorney’s office that Araiza was not present at the time of the alleged gang rape. 

Araiza offered a statement to Pro Football Talk following the release of that pivotal detail. He revealed to Outkick’s Tomi Lahren he will not be waiving his right to countersue. 

‘The damage has been done,’ Araiza said of his reputation in the interview released Thursday. ‘And if I was to settle, that would waive my right to countersue. So, at this point, we’re the heavy favorite, and continuing this any longer is going to be very damaging for them. So, I’m not willing to settle.’

Araiza was cut by the Bills on August 27 2022, two days after the civil lawsuit became public — initiating a wave of public anger at the organization, ostensibly leading to his dismissal. The civil suit is still ongoing. 

Matt Araiza has expressed his unwillingness at settling the civil lawsuit currently against him 

It was concluded Araiza had left the party an hour before the gang rape allegedly happened

‘I hold nothing against the Buffalo Bills, I wish things were handled differently, but they did treat me with respect, which I appreciate,’ he told Lahren. ‘It’s just the climate of how things are now. Accusations bring so much hate to anyone who stands by the accuser that they were kind of forced to cut me from the team.’ 

Araiza estimates up to a month prior to his release by the AFC East franchise, discussions were had in which the team were abreast of the situation and given legal materials from the ex-SDSU star’s side. 

‘I gave my attorney the greenlight to keep them in the loop and give them all of our witness statements, all of our evidence,’ he said. ‘They knew the truth, but the accusations were strong enough that they had to cut me.

‘It was a shock to me, growing up my whole life wanting to be a pro athlete, the thought is if I’m good enough I’ll be able to have that career and play at that level, but that wasn’t the case. I was cut because of these allegations.

‘Nowadays it is guilty until proven innocent.’ Araiza has maintained his own innocence throughout but has admitted to having consensual sex with the then-minor. Though, Araiza has admitted he wasn’t aware she below the California’s legal age of consent. 

‘She looked me in the eyes, told me she was 18. We had a brief encounter, she was in control and capable the whole time… we eventually said bye to each other.’ 

Per recordings cited by Yahoo Sports, Araiza had left the off-campus party at around 12:30am according to the DA’s office, an hour prior to the alleged gang rape. 

Araiza was released by the Bills on August 27 — two days after the civil lawsuit became public

‘He wasn’t even at the party anymore,’ deputy DA Trisha Amador told the plaintiff, via Yahoo. ‘All I know is that at that point, suspect Araiza is gone from the party.’ 

Video evidence from where the alleged incident took place led Amador to state. via Yahoo; ‘I absolutely cannot prove any forceable sexual assault based upon what happened.’

Prosecutors announced on December 7, 2022 they would not be pursuing criminal charges against Araiza.

‘Every civil lawsuit in the history of civil lawsuits is filed for money. You can’t run from that fact,’ Araiza said.  

The 2021 Ray Guy Award Winner – given to the best punter in college football – was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and is prepared for another shot when it comes.

‘In my heart, I believe I will get another shot at the NFL and I’m looking forward to that. I’m staying ready and just waiting for my name to be called.’