Matt Araiza’s Accuser Alleges Piercing Injuries and Reveals Bruises in Alleged Incident

The 18-year-old woman, who accused former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza and two other San Diego State University players of gang-raping her as a minor, said she was left bleeding after the alleged assault took place at an off-campus party in October.

In an interview with CBS News, the unnamed woman said her phone was taken from her and her piercings were ripped out when Araiza, 22, and two of his college teammates, Zavier Leonard and Nowlin “Pa’a” Ewaliko, allegedly assaulted her for more than an hour last year. The incident allegedly happened on Oct. 17 at a Halloween party at a home where Araiza had been living.

“I reported it the day after it happened. I was 17 years old and I had no idea who Matt Araiza was,” the woman said, as her face was hidden during the on-camera interview. CBS News showed photos of the victim’s neck and legs, which had bruises.

“I was crying, and my friend asked me what happened. And I told her, ‘I had just been raped.’ ”

Matt Araiza's accuser speaks out to CBS News about the former Bills punter.

Matt Araiza’s accuser speaks out to CBS News about the former Bills punter. CBS News

Matt Araiza's gang-rape accuser, according to photos published by CBS News on August 29, 2022.

Matt Araiza’s gang-rape accuser, according to photos published by CBS News on August 29, 2022. CBS News

According to CBS News, the woman wrote in her journal the next day: “All I keep replaying in my mind is being face down in a random bed just waiting for it to be over.”

In a lawsuit filed on Thursday, the victim claims she went in and out of consciousness during the alleged incident. Araiza was released by the Bills two days later, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane announced Saturday.

“I was having to deal with this horrible traumatic experience that I never asked for,” the woman said.

Araiza’s attorney, Kerry Armstrong, maintained that his client was not involved in the alleged assault, and said the allegations are fueled by money.

Matt Araiza during a Bills preseason game on Aug. 13, 2022.

Matt Araiza during a Bills preseason game on Aug. 13, 2022. A

Matt Araiza's gang-rape accuser, according to photos published by CBS News on August 29, 2022.

Matt Araiza’s gang-rape accuser, according to photos published by CBS News on August 29, 2022. CBS News

“I would be very surprised if they ever charged Matt Araiza with anything in this case,” Armstrong told CBS News. “If she really was raped in that back bedroom, that’s horrible. It’s a horrible thing to happen to anybody. But all I know is that Mr. Araiza had nothing to do with it, and the only thing I can think of as to why she’s included him in this civil lawsuit is because of money.”

When the woman was asked about Armstrong’s comment that the situation is a “shakedown” motivated by Araiza’s NFL status, the accuser said she felt “sick to the stomach.”

Araiza’s parents said in a statement on Monday that “war has been waged” on their son.

“We do not wish this experience on anyone, but question why our son is the only one receiving this kind of treatment by social media and national news media,” the couple wrote. “The vitriol has been on him alone. He has been extorted, discriminated against, harassed and the subject of multiple and continuous threats of violence and death. He has been released from his job and our entire family continues to receive horrific threats of violence and death. We have all been canceled. Every member of our family.

“Salacious rumors grew as fact. There are multiple witness reports to deny the claims that are made against him. The legal system is designed to find the facts and make decisions. They should be allowed to do that.”

Dan Gilleon, the lawyer for the accuser, disputed the parent’s claim that there were any attempts by his client to get money from Araiza.

Araiza, known as the “Punt God,” was selected by the Bills in the sixth round (180th overall) of the NFL draft in April. The team said it learned about the allegations in July.

“It’s not a situation that I or we take lightly whatsoever, and it’s very serious,” Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott said Friday. “It’s just a matter of trying to find the truth at the end of the day, right? That’s the goal is find the truth and do the right thing.”

Matt Araiza during a Bills preseason game on Aug. 13, 2022.

Matt Araiza during a Bills preseason game on Aug. 13, 2022. AP

Related Posts

Former NFL Player Sergio Brown Charged with Mother’s Murder

11 October 2023 By Mike Wendling, BBC News Getty Images A former NFL player has been charged with the murder of his mother after being arrested in California on Tuesday. Authorities had been searching for Sergio Brown since his mother Myrtle Brown, 73, …

Read more

Ex-NFL Player Sergio Brown Smiles in Mugshot Following Arrest for Mother’s Murder and Erratic Social Media Posts

Sergio Brown’s mother’s body was found dumped in a creek near her home The 35-year-old was reportedly deported from Mexico earlier this week DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news By Jack Bezants For Dailymail.Com Published: 15:53 …

Read more

Remembering Tragic Loss: Former NFL Star Mike Williams Dies at 36 After Construction Accident

Williams, 36, was rushed to hospital following the accident in August The star was placed on life support and put into an induced coma   DailyMail.com  provides all the latest international sports news  By Isabel Baldwin For Dailymail.Com Published: 17:00 …

Read more

Interesting Hypothesis: If Tony Romo Didn’t Get Injured In 2016

It’s possible that 2024 will be Dak Prescott’s last season as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. If so, he’ll have had a nine-year run that only a few in franchise history have bettered or even matched. Given that, it’s amazing to think about how improbable …

Read more

Shocking Rumor: Jerry Jones Could Sell the Cowboys to Saudi Arabian Investors

The Dallas Cowboys are enjoying the final few weeks of the offseason’s “dead period” before heading to Oxnard, California, for the start of training camp. But while everyone waits for…

Read more

Haley Cavinder Shares Adorable Video With Cowboys Player Boyfriend

Hanna Cavinder and Haley Cavinder at the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards from Ford Center at The Star on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Gareth Patterson/Penske…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *