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Within the face of a significant public backlash and inside questions over the choice to award Matt Araiza the punting job, the Buffalo Payments reversed course by slicing the rookie on Saturday, two days after a lawsuit was filed alleging the participant and two school teammates gang-raped a young person final fall.
The choice to chop ties with their sixth-round draft select of San Diego State comes after Buffalo cleared the best way for Araiza to take over the punting duties by releasing returning veteran Matt Haack on Monday.
The Payments opted then to maintain Araiza even whereas being conscious of the allegations made towards him since late July. The workforce then stood by the participant by asserting it “performed an intensive examination” into the matter a day after the lawsuit was filed. Nevertheless, the legal professional for the alleged sufferer stated Friday that the Payments by no means contacted him for particulars.
Araiza’s launch begins to ease a disaster which has shaken the workforce as mirrored by coach Sean McDermott having problem containing his feelings whereas discussing the scenario following a 21-0 preseason loss at Carolina on Friday night time.
With out being particular, McDermott stated he was unaware of a number of the revelations that got here out as soon as the lawsuit was filed a day earlier, and repeatedly stated the workforce has work to do to get to the reality.
“It isn’t a scenario we take calmly. I am damage, I perceive they’re damage,” McDermott stated referring to Buffalo’s fanbase. “It isn’t straightforward to listen to about a number of the issues that I’ve heard about during the last a number of hours say. Have not slept so much to be trustworthy with you.”
McDermott made the decision to carry out Araiza from taking part in towards Carolina. The participant watched the sport from an undisclosed location whereas additionally issuing an announcement by his agent, Joe Linta, which learn: “The information of the incident should not what they’re portrayed within the lawsuit or within the press. I stay up for shortly setting the file straight.”
With out one other punter on the roster, third-string quarterback Matt Barkley dealt with the punting duties.
A lawsuit filed in San Diego County Superior Courtroom accused Araiza and two teammates of raping a then-17-year-old woman at a Halloween occasion at an off-campus residence the place Araiza had been dwelling. A San Diego police investigation has been turned over to the district legal professional’s workplace to find out whether or not to pursue fees. DA spokeswoman Tanya Sierra stated Friday there was no timeline as to how lengthy a choice will take.
In Buffalo, the main target shifts to why the Payments weren’t conscious of the allegations towards Araiza when deciding on the San Diego State participant within the sixth spherical of the draft in April. Although he was school soccer’s high punter final yr, and earned the nickname “Punt God” due to a booming left leg, Araiza was the third punter chosen within the draft.
It is unclear whether or not Araiza knowledgeable the NFL concerning the allegations within the months main as much as the draft.
Executives from two totally different groups informed The Related Press they grew to become conscious of Araiza’s involvement in an incident in the course of the draft course of, however neither individual knew the extent of the allegations. Executives from three different groups stated that they had no data of the allegations towards Araiza earlier than the draft and solely discovered of the incident Thursday. All of the folks spoke to The AP on situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Although it is unclear when the Payments first grew to become conscious of the allegations, they knew by the tip of July when Dan Gilleon, the lawyer representing the alleged sufferer recognized within the lawsuit as “Jane Doe,” contacted the workforce’s authorized counsel, Kathryn D’Angelo, by e-mail.
“She appeared like she was involved. She says she’ll get again to me, after which she by no means did,” Gilleon stated. “I even adopted up and stated, ‘Hey, you guys have not talked to me and known as me again such as you stated you’d.′ And so they simply ignored that, too.”
With out saying when, Araiza’s lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, stated he additionally knowledgeable his shopper to be upfront and inform the Payments concerning the allegations. Armstrong stated he additionally saved in common contact with the Payments over the previous month to supply particulars of his personal investigation into what occurred.
“I 100% don’t imagine that he ever forcibly raped this woman or had intercourse together with her whereas she was handed out or drunk or something like that,” Armstrong stated.
The Payments additionally performed what they known as a “thorough examination,” which ultimately led to their resolution to chop Haack.
The Payments additionally knowledgeable the NFL of the incident as soon as they have been made conscious of it, an individual accustomed to the scenario informed The AP. The individual, talking on situation of anonymity due to the delicate nature of the matter, wasn’t sure of the timeline.
The NFL declined to remark besides to say it was conscious of the matter.
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