Buffalo Bills release punter Matt Araiza after rape allegations | Brother From Another

Michael Smith and Michael Holley break down punter Matt Araiza's release from the Buffalo Bills amid rape allegations and discuss if the league could've handled the situation differently. #NBCSports #BrotherFromAnother #MattAraiza
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Buffalo Bills release punter Matt Araiza after rape allegations | Brother From Another
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[@1976brenden]

Matt was cleared of any wrongdoing…now what???

[@scottaznavourian3720]

Guess what.. ..she made the whole thing up and destroyed his life for nothing

[@lonepalmisland]

We have now found out that Matt left that party an hour before the 'rape' occurred...evidence from his phone proves he was not there...I was just wondering if you two guys have even taken the time to apologize to Matt...my guess the answer to that question is "no"...

[@ClassicMan-kh1gg]

Please address this and offer apology to gentlemen who wasn't even at the scene. Also, please address the fact that we can't believe all women.

[@riggs982]

Y’all need to make a video apologizing to Matt

[@darnellsamuels5739]

I don’t understand why we know he is guilty before knowing the facts. Nothing against the young lady but we have seen woman lie in the past just like we’ve seen men actually do these horrific crimes. Let’s remember the duke lacross team and what those young men lost because of a lie. Let’s not rush to judgement just to get some views and let the facts play out !

[@poorhouz5051]

I can explain... It's because he's WHITE...As soon as they heard about 20 women from Watson all these black analyst didn't believe it and BIG UP that contract he got from the Browns.... hmmmmmmm Pick on the white athlete Decade....

[@sloebone7399]

Another wrecked career and destroyed life based on a woman’s accusation. No charges, no evidence presented, no assumption of innocence. You assume he did it, you assume lied to the NFL, you assume there’s a cover up, So quick to condemn, so slow to admit you were wrong.

[@risingphoenix1484]

innocent until proven guilty just ask Nikki Minaj husband..... or Johnny Depp!

[@Rob-lv1zi]

Oh pleaze, black lies (lives, sure) matter is the greatest hustle of all time 💲💲💲💲💲

[@jonathanday5010]

I guess we should believe all women not facts and evidence

[@johnward5404]

MAN!, That was a great point. When the Bills found out about the allegations, they still took him, but when WE found out about the allegations... it was time to release him... SO BACKWARDS GREAT POINT!!!!

[@stevewest6133]

Factually, you're wrong.. sorry to be blunt. The first direct allegation happened on Thursday 8/26. The Bills fired Araiza within 48 hours. Before you reply, consider this. Some random lawyer calls your workplace on July 30th and says, "Bad news on your employee John Ward. He did a horrible thing. I can't legally release my evidence to you, but you guys should fire him, right now. No, no, no thirty day investigation, right now" Would you be fired based on that call? Or more likely would they keep it the radar and wait for something tangible? Because that's kind of what happened here.

[@orphy6869]

WRONG, SDPD weren't talking and didn't file charges, campus police were told not to investigate it and Araiza and his lawyer were lying...so this isn't on the Bills

[@soda8736]

So he shouldnt have been drafted by any team?

[@Sjtbk23]

@@stevewest6133 from the New York Times: "Gilleon, the lawyer for the accuser, emailed Kathryn D’Angelo, the assistant general counsel for the Bills, on July 31 to inform the team that his client was accusing Araiza of rape, according to a screenshot that was reviewed by The New York Times. Gilleon then spoke to D’Angelo by phone on Aug. 1. Gilleon contacted the Bills after the team drafted Araiza but before it cut Haack." They had a good idea what was coming back on July 31. The Bills may have felt confident in their investigation, especially considering they were made aware of the allegations and proceeded to release Matt Haack. They had a choice to speak to the accuser and receive details before the lawsuit became public. They chose not to. They waited until it became public and almost had no choice but to release Araiza.

[@stevewest6133]

@@Sjtbk23 That's still a 3rd party notification. Would your job fire you simply based on a phone call? Or do ya think, maybe they would monitor and look for something tangible? Also look at the dates. You are splitting hairs because the Bills waited 28 days for tangible evidence and a direct, court sworn statement from the victim. That's basic HR. Final thought. The victim's lawyer's moves are awkward. Calling the defendant's employer before you've even filed your case and asking them fire the defendant immediately? Who tf does that? That early release of info damages your odds of winning and the criminal investigation. It adds up. The lawyer is pissed off at the Bills because the NFL's August 30th roster cut deadline forced them to go to court and file before they were ready.

[@sivyisvaj8054]

The Browns gonna sign him to a fully guarantee contract. 🤣

[@givenscommunications6307]

Why does the NFL "faulter" on domestic assault issues and sexual battery issues? Because some of the very people in position to dole out punishment have had some of the same issues in their lives; we just don't know about UNTIL it spills over into the public domain. How many team front office people (mostly men and mostly white) on NFL teams have been involved with financial misconduct, drugs, domestic issues and sexual violence issues?

[@jacobsladder6715]

Great point

[@darrylliningham4419]

have commited on Matt Araiza not being present during the so call rape

[@mistakd6328]

I would have drafted him too

[@lkpeay]

@01:06 @01:53 @09:25 @12:30

[@kevinmoton7326]

These two here have to lick them boots before they shine them. Not once did they question the character or behavior of the punter

[@samdavis8765]

The question should be if there are allegations of any type should disqualify a person for employment. What is suppose to happen at the on set of allegations? I hate this purity check by journalist. I am asking is there due process?

[@kevinbrianthomas1]

Many of the powers that be in the NFL are former players who came up when "boys will be boys" was how sexual allegations were handled. They need an outside entity to regulate such allegations.

[@darondawson6566]

ABSOLUTELY, THEY KNEW BUT CHOSE TO DRAFT HIM AND HOPE IT DOESN'T COME OUT. #CYA

[@orphy6869]

WRONG, SDPD weren't talking and didn't file charges, campus police were told not to investigate it and Ariza and his lawyer were lying...so this isn't on the Bills

[@dillonwiedemann8231]

Wrong. learn facts before commenting, they didn't know till the end of july

[@darondawson6566]

BULLSHIT, THEY KNEW BACK IN APRIL B4 DRAFTING HIM, CHOSE TO TURN A BLIND EYE

[@orphy6869]

@@darondawson6566 no they didn’t, nice try though

[@jeremytaft8247]

Dam this comment gave me brain cancer.

[@j.anthonybattaglini6650]

Nice quote from Boyz Hood

[@earlgray9794]

Just waiting on Goodell to come after the punter like he did Watson

[@bbginc694]

The Punter is now out of the leauge and nobody will touch him, Watson was under contract with the Texans.

[@joelgriffith1654]

The Punter was innocent

[@williamriley5118]

This reminds me of the Jerry Sandusky/Penn State Football insanity.

[@stevewest6133]

At 5:08 Smith is dead wrong, and fumbles the issue. The actual accusation, and case evidence, became public information Thurs 8/26/22 when the civil case was filed. THAT is substantial enough to bring into the HR office and use in a tough decision. So no, the Bills did not take action based on an accusation, or based on appearances, or public pressure. Technically and literally there wasn't even an accusation prior to 8/26, just hearsay, rumor, and 3rd party accusations. The victim's family stayed silent, likely at the advice of their lawyer and the police. Bills scouts may have asked those tough questions and Araiza answered "nope, wasn't me". Further investigation would've showed no arrest, no civil suits (yet), and no pending criminal case hearings. At that point it is NOT his word against his accuser's, its Araiza's word against nothing. Bottom line, the Bills organization took decisive action 48 hours after hard evidence a became public information that they could legally access and use for a firing. Sorry for the long rant, but its frustrating af when people get it into their heads that NFL teams have greater investigative powers than the police.

[@orphy6869]

Perfectly said

[@jukebezzleone6]

This is the same team who had drug dealers, coke heads and women abusers on the team throughout the 90's and it was well known

[@orphy6869]

@@jukebezzleone6 different management now genius...go buy a clue

[@jukebezzleone6]

@@orphy6869 different management/figure heads but same culture.

the question NOBODY in the "Woke media" is asking is *Why is a 17 year old high school girl, drinking alcohol at an off-campus college party in San Diego 12 miles from her parents house... in the middle of the week???*

[@g-injer5033]

They didn’t know til late July. Listen to the press conference

[@eddiesheppard9544]

You guys are better than this. How do the Bills front office vet this case more than the DA in that city?

[@msully76]

They knew and if the story didn't go public he would be kicking for the Bills. If you can help a team they will look the other way until they can't..

[@jeremytaft8247]

Being accused and being guilty aren’t the same thing there guy. There’s 3 sides to every story in this case it’s his side, her side, and the truth. If you just blindly follow one side your gonna miss out on a lot of things.

[@gilharrison8696]

If you only go for the spotless character, 2/3 of the NFL would be bagging groceries right now so get off this Monday morning QB thing, Buffalo is not responsible for everything this kid has done in his life and knew they could always cut him if the situation was worse than they thought.

[@TOOLschoolFOOL]

i guess you're guilty until you're not lol. the bills found out about the civil case a few days before his release lol people dont think deep

[@musicvideos2695]

No this news cmae out before the draft which is why he dropped in the draft. NFL or not, no company is taking on potential employee with alleged rape case hanging over their head

[@richiamunno9513]

@@musicvideos2695 yes but it was hearsay with no criminal charges, hence why he was on a football team. they knew the whole time. it’s the civil case that brought the national media…..

[@dbp192000]

As a Bills fan this situation is disgusting and incredibly disappointing. Brandon Beane appears to have been blinded by arrogance, ambition and greed

[@JacksonPicklebottom]

Well he’s innocent

[@soda8736]

So what would be the " right thing". No team should have drafted him for 1 allegations.? And players are the ones who changed that rule about nothing in college being held against players in the NfL

[@rodneyhill9909]

See. Chris Simms said the bills didn't do anything wrong today. See how they cover for each other

[@BNA_Est.1988]

Yup!

[@darondawson6566]

i saw that bullshit, lost all respect for him

[@19rudy73]

I watched a report from San Diego today saying that the SDSU kept these allegations under wraps until the middle of this summer. The police aren't gonna say anything. if Araiza and his agent or Araiza's people or the university don't say anything, where do you suggest that the Bills were going to find this information out?

[@JBisDiddy4lyfe]

@@BNA_Est.1988 I bet you feel dumb now.

[@JBisDiddy4lyfe]

@@darondawson6566 Araiza wasn't even at the party the time of the alleged incident. Please feel dumb you mindless race baiting sheep.

[@punishergame]

It's soooo funny how every sports media page direct the blame on everyone and everybody but matt azaria.. let it be a black man..

[@joelgriffith1654]

Well he was inocent so his skin color shouldnt have mattered. The facts of the case shouldve

[@givenscommunications6307]

To The Accuser: Get you a good-assed lawyer and get ready to Break the Bank! Go after Matt, San Diego State University and the police department who took their time getting around to you.

[@eddiesheppard9544]

Shouldn't the DA in that city be first on this list??

[@givenscommunications6307]

@@eddiesheppard9544 EVERYONE who dropped the ball (so to speak) needs to get theirs. I don’t care which order; whoever the people who failed her - GET THEM ALL!

[@JBisDiddy4lyfe]

Looks like you were the one who dropped the ball by running with a lie and believing it before all facts rolled in. Please feel dumb.

[@joelgriffith1654]

​@@givenscommunications6307 they got her alright. For lying Dude was innocent

[@nerdimusmaximus1628]

So wait, the Bills "botched" this situation, but Watson becomes like the highest paid QB with accusations from 30 women of sexual assault? So the Browns celebrate Watson's crimes with money, the Bills cut Araiza..... These two hosts or whatever are clowns, but what should we expect from two guys with a storied history of race baiting in the name of journalism.

[@semha6348]

Azaria: accused of rape/gang rape --> violent crime Watson: 24 accusers of sexual misconduct --> non-violent crime. Two grand juries didn't indict Deshaun. The accusers didn't go to the police. Azaria's accuser went to the police. Watson accusers are a mix of women who had consensual sex (which is not a crime) with him, and the rest are women who said that they were uncomfortable. But they still contacted him several times (one of them 19 times) after the alleged sexual misconduct. Watson cases are nothing in comparison of being accused of rape. And Watson accusers are extortionists. The media didn't look into the women, just blamed Watson for everything and manipulated the public. And the Bills had to cut Azaria, because the Bills didn't want to tarnish their "culture image". Oh, and the 30 women you are referring to are the women who settled with the Texans. See how you made up a number, and said that 30 women accused Deshaun of sexual assault. 24 women filed a lawsuit, not 30 women. And then there is also the one woman, who lied but her son came forward, and told the NFL that his mother is lying about Deshaun.

[@sunwise5769]

@@semha6348 well said. This guys comment reeks of racial undertones.

[@musicvideos2695]

You have a major issue aside from the two guys speaking here, ariaza is accused of gang RAPE with two team mates not sexual assault like Watson. Watsons case is very unique, he never touched or did anything to the actual women, according to most reports, Watson exposed himself and pleasured himself during the massage process. The dude is still a jackass to me but RAPE is something else. I remember wondering why the kid kept dropping in the draft. Bills are stupid to even put themselves on this spot, they knew this before the draft. The rape allegation is enough to remove you from potential job in NFL and the regular world

[@clearthelane2432]

Ok racist

Deshaun Watson did nothing wrong. Its not a crime walking around your own house with swinging dick. *Deshaun Watson deposition* Question: Did he rape you? Answer: No Question: Did he sexually assault you? 🤔 Answer: No Question: Did he sexually harass you? 🤔 Answer: No Question: Did he violently and intentionally touch you in a sexual manner, that can be viewed as a sexual assault? 🤔 Answer: No Question: What exactly did he do then? 🤔 Answer: He was walking around with swinging penis. Question: Uhm... was his... was his penis, uhm… erect? 🤔 Answer: No. Question: So he was walking around his apartment naked? 🤔 Answer: He once walked past me, and his penis might have brushed past my elbow, it was creepy & made me feel uncomfortable... *I swear to God... there is a war in Ukraine, with good men getting massacred, but the entire Watson situation was a giant farce.* 🤔 🤔 🤔

[@imsnowedn]

Lots of details we don't know. We do know they were 21 or 22 year old college students, and she came to their house already have been drinking. So if she was underage drinking before she got there, it was not such a great night. Lots of grey areas when someone goes to a college party and claims to be of age. That's doesn't excuse anything, but I had a buddy whose sister attended frat parties when she was in college, and she got in all sorts of trouble, trying to have fun. You don't go to a 21 or 22 year olds house and claim you just wanted to hang with your high school buddies. I grew up in a college town. People get a little wild and tell lies to hang with the adults.

[@imsnowedn]

*she was in HS, but looked like a freshman and claimed to be a student.

[@dreamcage1801]

@@imsnowedn she was being too grown lowkey

[@bengrayse6149]

It’s pathetic. The nfl needs to get over this talent addiction

[@coachjon6967]

It is not just the NFL it is all walks of life. Look at politics, and the entertainment industry

[@musicvideos2695]

Yeah that’s a world issue, how many politicians do you see avoid punishment for real cases solely because of their talent etc. it’s an everyday business/life issue

[@jacobsladder6715]

@@coachjon6967 we all know that.. let's stick to this at the moment.

[@joelgriffith1654]

How bout an innocent kid with no career now.

[@MsJules]

These ppl don’t care about the players personal lives. As long as they can play real good, they will draft them anyway

[@poorhouz5051]

Soooooo Michael Smith you really that worried about the Bills drafting dude.. Where were you with the 50 something women Deshaun assaulted??? And he paid off to go away... Where is that same energy BUDDY?? HYPOCRITE

[@richvedrus5187]

Bad treatment of women mothers wife's daughters grandmothers granddaughters very bad karma we as humans hav been led into this kind of horrific actions well does this go on because of so many that are in position's of power following this occult action no one is getting away with this Namaste

[@scottaznavourian3720]

How about bad karma for women who destroy innocent people's lives

[@micjisters]

damn bruhs, 4k views! that's some solid shit for a couple racist wokes!! keep up the good work!!lol!!

[@earlgray9794]

F U Saltine

[@scottsullivan7129]

Matt is evil 😈

[@fiscer247]

There is now evidence that he wasn't even there at the time of the so called rape. Perhaps you should not jump to conclusions.