Bills release punter Matt Araiza after gang rape allegation

WARNING: This article contains graphic content and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

In the face of a major public backlash and internal questions over the decision to award Matt Araiza the punting job, the Buffalo Bills reversed course by cutting the rookie on Saturday, two days after a lawsuit was filed alleging the player and two college teammates gang-raped a teenager last fall.

"The last 48 hours have been very difficult for a lot of people. It's been tough. And you know, we sympathize with this whole situation, all the parties involved, this young woman, what she went through," general manager Brandon Beane said during a 26-minute news conference alongside coach Sean McDermott.

"But at this time, we just think it's the best move for everyone to move on from Matt and let him take care of this situation and focus on that. So, we're gonna part ways there," Beane added.

Beane said the Bills were not aware of the allegations made against Araiza at the time they drafted him. And had they known, Beane said, they would have removed him from consideration.

The decision to cut ties with their sixth-round draft pick out of San Diego State comes after Buffalo cleared the way for Araiza to take over the punting duties by releasing returning veteran Matt Haack on Monday.

Beane said the team did as much as it could in getting as many details as possible, while noting many of the allegations were unavailable because the results of the San Diego police investigation has not been released. He said the team decided not to "rush to judgment" based on the information it had, while noting Araiza never changed his version of what happened.

"You want to give everyone as much due