By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
After a controversial start to his NFL career, new Chiefs punter Matt Araiza is getting a fresh start in Kansas City during Training Camp in St. Joseph.
Araiza was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022, but they cut him after sexual assualt allegations.
Araiza says he wasn't sure if he would ever get a shot in the league again.
"There were times that I didn't, and there were times that I did, it honestly kept going back and forth in my mind," Araiza tells reporters after practice. "But yeah there was a lot of moments where I thought it was over, so I'm incredibly grateful to be here."
The lawsuit against Araiza was dropped in December. Kansas City signed the punter in February.
Araiza has a unique trait that not many NFL punters have. He punts with his left foot.
Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub has said that's what made signing Araiza appealing, because the ball just comes differently off the left foot.
Araiza also says he feels like that gives him an advantage.
"I've punted with a lot of guys in the NFL, a lot of guys come to San Diego during the offseason and train, and the one thing I have over everyone is how much my punts move," Araiza says. "I've caused a ton of drops here, and I'm looking to see that on Sundays I think that will be great, someone muffs a punt that is a huge game changing play."
One fan of Araiza is his head coach Andy Reid
"I like him, just keep working, consistency always as you go, but you can see it I mean he's booming the thing," Reid says. "Be curious to see it in games, let's see how he does there."
Araiza, who has been coined with the nickname 'Punt God', says it will be pretty surreal to step on the field on Sundays after believing his career might have been over.
The Chiefs practiced for just over two hours today. The only new injury reported from Reid was Chris Jones who took what he called a "stinger" to the shoulder.
The Chiefs practice again tomorrow on the Missouri Western campus in St. Joseph at 9:15. It is the last public practice this week before Saturday's preseason game.