“Former NFL player Matt Araiza cleared of charges after prosecutors declare his absence”

Former San Diego State punter and Buffalo Bills draft pick, Matt Araiza, was cleared of criminal wrongdoing in a gang rape accusation by the California District Attorney’s office. The accusation was labeled under a civil lawsuit, in which two others were named alongside Araiza. The allegation suggested that a 17-year-old was raped by up to 20 men, and Araiza was not present at the party an hour before evidence suggested the alleged gang rape took place. The lawsuit also claimed that the victim suffered physical and emotional damages under the influence of alcohol and drugs. However, prosecutors studied the case for ten months before concluding that there was no path to a potential criminal conviction.

### Shakedown Allegation

Matt Araiza’s lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, accused the accuser of going after Araiza’s money and even insinuated that the allegations made against his client were inaccurate. He denied all allegations and claimed that his investigators found witness accounts that told a different story from the one in the lawsuit. Moreover, Araiza’s agency released a statement where he expressed gratitude after the DA and the San Diego Police Department found no criminal wrongdoing. He believes that he can continue his NFL career, with his position in the football world left uncertain after the civil lawsuit was filed.

### The Bigger Picture

The Buffalo Bills released their sixth-round pick after the civil suit was filed in August. The decision to cut Araiza was made by the team’s general manager, Brandon Beane, who commented that he felt this was “bigger than football.” The case raises questions concerning the youth culture in America and how financial status affects our society’s values as a whole. The allegations against Araiza were part of a broader concern amid the MeToo movement for women’s rights and the sexual violence rampant within American society.

### Conclusion

The case in question has left Araiza’s position within the NFL uncertain, and it raises broader questions concerning the role of sports in American society and how financial status affects our sense of justice as a nation. The DA’s decision not to charge Araiza and the absence allegation shed light on the complicated nature of the case. It’s essential to continue having conversations about sexual assault and the university culture that breeds such atrocities while also continually striving to simplify the justice system to ensure a fair trial for all.