Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Araiza Drops Honest Confession Ahead of NFL Comeback


Kansas City Chiefs kicker Matt Araiza has come an awfully long way. After seeing his NFL career come to an abrupt end even before it started due to sexual assault charges that stemmed from his time at San Diego State, the 24-year-old is now back in the league — with the two-time defending champions, no less.

Matt Araiza, Buffalo Bills

Araiza is more than happy to be in the position he is in right now, and he’s not taking anything for granted.

Kansas City Chiefs News: Matt Araiza’s Career Admission

USATSI 23860645 168400517 lowres scaled
Jul 26, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza (49) walks from the locker room to the fields prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Even before his rookie year started, Araiza saw himself getting released by the Buffalo Bills after he was dragged into a lawsuit surrounding a 17-year-old girl allegedly being raped at a party in San Diego in 2021. Araiza was eventually able to clear his name after it was proven that he was not at the party at the time of the rape.

Be that as it may, it wasn’t until this offseason that the embattled punter finally got the call to return to the NFL.

“It’s going to be pretty surreal,” Araiza said of his comeback, via Adam Teicher of ESPN. “Definitely going to take it all in. There were a lot of moments where I thought it was over, so I’m incredibly grateful to be here.”

“… I love football. I love being out here, so it was on my mind a lot. It was tough to watch Sundays for sure. Really tough.”

Araize clearly went through quite a traumatic past few years but at this point, he’s just glad to be back.

USATSI 16979322 168400517 lowres
Oct 15, 2021; San Jose, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs kicker Matt Araiza (2) punts during the fourth quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at CEFCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Araiza also knows that his name will forever be blemished by this incident. However, he maintains his innocence.

“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I think if you do your own research, I think you can come to a pretty clear conclusion,” Araiza said.

USATSI 18740516
Punter Matt Araiza sends one downfield on the opening day of the Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Sd 072422 Bills Camp 17 Spts

The most important thing here is football — especially for the Chiefs. Araiza himself knows that he’s very much capable of taking on this upcoming challenge with Kansas City, and he plans on making the most out of it.

“I feel like I’ve been punting really well,” Araiza said. “I’ve continued to grow. That’s probably my favorite part is, day one here versus now, I’m continuing to get better, so I’m looking forward to that. Just continued growth.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTkWCz67dh4&pp=ygULbWF0dCBhcmFpemE%3D

Related Posts

Browns’ Huntley & Thompson-Robinson Viewed as Potential Trade Candidates

The Cleveland Browns quarterback room is one of the deepest in the NFL. While much of their success will depend on Deshaun Watson to perform at the level he…

49ers Urged to Sign Former DPOY Amid Injury Issues

With just one preseason game in the books, the San Francisco 49ers are already dealing with a litany of injuries. Running back Christian McCaffrey (calf), linebacker Fred Warner (foot) and wide receiver Ricky…

Steelers Claim Massive Tackle off Waivers from Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed massive 6-foot-5, 380-pound offensive tackle Tykeem Doss off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens. The Pittsburgh Steelers made an addition to their roster on…

Bears Urged to ‘Permanently’ Bench $30 Million Starter in 2024

Getty Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. The Chicago Bears are entering their second-to-last full week of 2024 training camp and still do not have starting right guard Nate Davis back from his…

Former All-Pro WR Has Strong Take on Who Should Start for Raiders at QB

Getty Gardner Minshew & Aidan O’Connell of the Las Vegas Raiders. Through one preseason game, it doesn’t seem like there’s a clear favorite to win the Las Vegas Raiders‘…

Will Nick Harris Signing Alter Future For Another Browns Player?

Last season, Nick Harris was not only the backup center for the Cleveland Browns, but he also served as the fullback for much of the year. The decision…