Matt Araiza was watching on from home when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in last year’s Super Bowl.
He was working as an accountant in San Diego at the time and office banter among colleagues was as close as he got to the game in Las Vegas.
That’s because Araiza, a punter, was in the NFL wilderness. After a decorated college career, he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022 but got released during training camp after being accused of raping a 17-year-old girl at a party in October 2021.
The district attorney’s office in San Diego declined to press criminal charges against Araiza in December 2022. Twelve months later, Araiza was dropped from the girl’s lawsuit.
The 24-year-old missed two seasons while the legal issues were worked out.
Kansas City then saw an opportunity and signed Araiza in February 2024 following a competition between himself and another hopeful punter trying to win a contract in the NFL.
Matt Araiza will play in the Super Bowl two years after rape allegations cast doubt on his future
Araiza has played every game for the Chiefs this season after winning a contract last year
Araiza grabbed hold of a second chance he thought he would never get and hasn’t looked back. Now he’s at the Super Bowl after an impressive debut season that has seen him go from an office in California to the Superdome in New Orleans.
Speaking on Wednesday about his journey, Araiza said: ‘There was a time where I didn’t think I would play in the NFL.
‘I would have been grateful to be on a team that didn’t win a game at all. So to be on this team that keeps winning games is a lot of fun.
‘They (the Chiefs) were really welcoming. When you join a team that’s coming off winning a Super Bowl you have to break into the group and prove yourself a little bit.
‘I felt like the Chiefs really was my last opportunity and if this didn’t go well I probably wouldn’t get another one.’
Araiza was released during Bills training camp after being accused of raping a 17-year-old girl
One of the men presiding over Araiza’s success in his limited time in Kansas City has been assistant special teams coach Andy Hill.
He praised Araiza for slotting into the organization seamlessly and explained how he seized the opportunity during a nerve-shredding competition with a rival punter.
Hill explained: ‘He’s been awesome. When we got him it was like a rebirth or second chance for him. He came in a little bit subdued, and we wanted to get that confidence back and be the way that he was in college which he did pretty quickly.
‘We knew his talent level coming out of college. Tommy Townsend was moving on for better money and we knew that a left-footed punter in the NFL is kind of unique and the fact that he had this great success in college.
‘We had a competition with him and another guy from BYU and there were more days where Matt was better. He rose to the competition and started getting his confidence back as the days went along.
‘Our team, our leaders, from Coach Reid down to the guys are so accepting of anyone. He came in, was quiet about it and fit right in with his personality.
Araiza’s teammates and coaches spoke highly of his character and how he fit in at the Chiefs
Araiza was nicknamed the ‘Punt God’ at San Diego State, where he was an All-American
‘Really, fitting in with our group and the guys like James Winchester and Harrison Butker was important too because they spend a lot of time together. It was really easy and he fit in right away.’
Butker, the Chiefs kicker who made headlines last year for a controversial graduation speech he gave weeks after the Super Bowl, has watched Araiza’s progress up close.
He added: ‘He’s done a great job. He’s very mature for his age.
‘I know he missed two seasons but he’s dialed in to be the best punter he can be and show everyone he’s so skilled. I’m very happy for him to be in this position and to have had a good year like he did, I’m very proud of him.’
At San Diego State Araiza was known as ‘Punt God’. He earned the nickname because of his high, lengthy kicks. After two years in the wilderness, his career is back on an upward trajectory too.
