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The Buffalo Bills have released punter Matt Araiza after he was accused of rape in a civil lawsuit.<\/span><\/p>\n The lawsuit alleged he was one of three college players involved in the rape of a 17-year-old girl last October.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n “We decided that releasing Matt Araiza was the best thing to do,” general manager Brandon Beane said.<\/span><\/p>\n Araiza, 22, has denied the allegations and released a statement saying he would “look forward to quickly setting the record straight”.<\/span><\/p>\n “The facts of the incident are not what they are portrayed in the lawsuit or in the press,” he added.<\/span><\/p>\n The rookie was drafted by the Bills following standout performances for San Diego State University, in which he was the country’s top college punter.<\/span><\/p>\n It is alleged that he and two others repeatedly raped the girl at an off-campus party in San Diego.<\/span><\/p>\n The Bills said they were unaware of the allegations before signing him.<\/span><\/p>\n “Our culture in Buffalo is more important than winning football games,” Bean added.<\/span><\/p>\n “Ultimately, we thought it was best for everybody. It’s a very serious situation with the serious nature of the allegations and we just don’t have the means to put all the facts together.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n