ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JUNE 15: Matt Araiza #19 of the Buffalo Bills smiles during Bills mini camp on June 15, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)


Former NFL punter Matt Araiza got a new lease on life when he was dropped from a civil lawsuit accusing him and others of gang rape, and he dropped his counter-lawsuit alleging defamation against his accuser as part of an agreement between the parties back in December.

The lawsuit against Araiza and two other former San Diego State University football players was filed by a woman identified only as Jane Doe in August 2022.

The Bills wasted little time releasing Araiza.

Now, he is finally getting his much-deserved second chance.

On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced they were signing the punter to the roster.

Araiza was drafted as a punter by the Buffalo Bills several months before the lawsuit was filed. He was released from the team days after the civil suit was filed.

Araiza told reporters in December he lost not only his career but his name and reputation as a result of Jane Doe’s allegations.

Now, he finally gets a chance to live out his dreams of being in the NFL.

Araiza, better known as “Punt God”, played for the San Diego State Aztecs for a total of three seasons between 2019 and 2021.

In 35 games across three years at San Diego State, he punted 84 times for 4,293 yards which was a 51.1 yards-per-punt rate. Araiza also successfully kicked 96 of 97 extra-point attempts and 50 of 68 field-goal attempts.