Matt Araiza reflects on a tumultuous period in his life, marked by uncertainty and controversy. For the past two years, there were moments when he wondered if the 82-yard punt he made during a Buffalo Bills preseason game would be his sole appearance in the NFL.
Araiza shared his internal struggle with this reality during a recent interview. “There were moments of doubt and times I felt optimistic,” Araiza said on Monday. “It was a constant back-and-forth in my mind. At many points, I thought it was over, so I’m extremely thankful to still have this chance.”
This current opportunity is taking place at the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp at Missouri Western State University, where Araiza is aiming to revive his NFL career. His journey to this point has not been straightforward. Just two weeks after his impressive 82-yard punt against the Indianapolis Colts, Araiza faced serious legal challenges.
A lawsuit was filed accusing him of involvement in the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in 2021. Although the San Diego County District Attorney decided not to pursue charges, the legal battle did not end there. In July 2023, Araiza initiated a defamation lawsuit against the accuser. By December, both parties reached a settlement to dismiss their lawsuits, with neither admitting guilt or exchanging monetary compensation.
Despite these significant hurdles, Araiza is determined to move past the controversy and focus on his football career. He acknowledges the presence of differing opinions about him but encourages others to conduct their own research. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. But I think if you do your own research, you can come to a pretty clear conclusion,” Araiza remarked. He has remained resolute in his passion for football, which he describes as a vital part of his life. “I love football. I love being out here,” he added. “It was really hard to watch games on Sundays. It was extremely tough.”
Araiza’s opportunity for a fresh start came when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him as a free agent on February 22. Since joining the team, he has caught the attention of the Chiefs’ special teams coordinator and assistant head coach, Dave Toub. Toub, who views Araiza almost like a rookie due to his limited NFL experience, has been impressed with his performance. “Coming in, I consider him a rookie because he really only had one game and preseason before he was out.
As a rookie, he’s really above the line in my opinion,” Toub commented. He noted that Araiza has been performing well during team drills, but emphasized that proving himself in actual game situations is crucial. “He’s hitting some good punts in team periods. That’s what you want to see now. It’s one thing to do it in practice, but doing it in a game is a whole different level. We need to see that.”
Araiza, also known by his nickname “Punt God,” is poised to demonstrate his skills in the upcoming preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has offered guidance and advice to the 24-year-old punter as he prepares for this critical opportunity. With this preseason game marking a pivotal moment in his attempt to solidify his position with the Chiefs, Araiza is eager to prove himself and move forward from the trials of the past.
