“Punt God,” who has “the most powerful leg the NFL world has ever seen,” is signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs have added free agency punter Matt Araiza to their roster for the upcoming season, less than two weeks after they defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
The 23-year-old’s exceptionally strong leg and forceful kicks earned him the moniker “Punt God” in college.
Araiza, who was a member of the San Diego State Aztecs from 2018 to 2021, won multiple awards, including the Ray Guy Award for being the best punter in the nation, and he went on to set a new NCAA record with an average yardage per punt of 51.19.
The Buffalo Bills selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he was waived that summer after being mentioned in a rape complaint.
Araiza was not present during the alleged event, according to authorities, and no criminal charges were brought against him.
Two years after being selected in the draft, he is now signing a contract with the defending Super Bowl winners.
Araiza released a statement in which he said, “I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the Chiefs.”
“I’m overjoyed to be able to pursue my NFL career further. I would like to express my gratitude to my family, who have always supported me, and to all of my friends, who have never wavered. With the Super Bowl Champions, I can’t wait to start the next chapter of my career!”
