NEW ORLEANS (AFP) — Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza said he feared his National Football League (NFL) career was over before it had even begun but now finds himself on the brink of Super Bowl glory.

Araiza, known as “Punt God” in college, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022 but was cut during pre-season after a woman in a civil lawsuit accused him and two others of rape.

After investigating, the San Diego District Attorney’s office announced in December 2022 that criminal charges would not be filed in the case and a year later the woman dropped Araiza from the civil case.

Araiza, who had vigorously protested his innocence, agreed to drop a countersuit he had brought accusing the woman of defamation but later brought a case against her attorney for malicious prosecution before settling.

“There was a time where I didn’t really think I would play in the NFL again,” Araiza said on Wednesday at a media session ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I would have been grateful to be on a team that didn’t win a game at all, so to be on this team that keeps winning games, it’s a lot of fun.”

While the Bills had been quick to drop Araiza in the immediate furore over reports of the case, the Chiefs offered him a chance once his name was cleared.

Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said Araiza took full advantage of the opportunity.

“He came in with the baggage, so to speak, but it ended up being nothing. I really felt bad for him, the way his career started out,” Taub said.

“We gave him an opportunity and he took the ball and ran with it and did a great job. He earned his job on the football team.”

“That says a lot about him. It’s not long after spending time with him that you realize he’s a great kid. You can’t listen to all the narrative about him — we liked him immediately. He’s a hard worker.”

Araiza said he knew when he arrived at the Chiefs practice facility it might be his last chance at an NFL career.

“I felt the Chiefs was my last opportunity, If this didn’t go well, I probably wouldn’t get another one,” he said, noting that general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid had been the ones to give him the chance.

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker said he noticed from the outset that his new teammate was determined to make up for lost time.

“When he got here, he was extremely motivated to kind of right the wrong,” he said.

“He had missed some time and he was ready to show everyone that he’s a great NFL punter, with a little time off. He showed a lot of maturity and has done a great job, so I’m happy and proud of him.”

“It’s always difficult when there’s a lot of noise around your name and for him to stay focused on performance and technique and be the best punter he can possibly be, I think that shows a lot of fortitude and focus there.”

The experience has left Araiza grateful for his second chance in the NFL but also with a sense of perspective about the ups and downs that a career can bring.

“I was told from a young age by my dad never to get too high in the good moments and I think that helped me to handle the down moments,” he said.

While he chooses to be reflective now, Araiza’s comments after he was dropped from the lawsuit were more pointed.

“I’m well aware now of the evil that’s out there and people who are willing to ruin someone’s life for money. I’ve never really experienced that before,” he told a news conference at the time.”

Now that he is one win away from being part of the first team in NFL history to capture three straight Super Bowls, Araiza says he looks back sometimes on the difficulties he faced.

“I definitely reflect on it, usually naturally, something will remind me of how different my life is now to a year ago,” he said.

“I guess you can say I can’t complain.”