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Chiefs Punter Goes Viral For What He Did Against His Former Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thad Brown | Last updated Nov 21, 2024 10:28 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 15-game winning streak came to an end in Week 11 with a 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, marking their first defeat of the 2023 season. While the game highlighted some areas of concern for the Chiefs, one of the most talked-about moments came courtesy of an unexpected source: punter Matt Araiza.

Facing his former team, Araiza delivered a play that quickly went viral, sparking reactions across social media.

During the game, Araiza showcased his intensity in an unusual way for a punter. After kicking the ball, he sprinted downfield with determination, aiming to deliver a big hit on Bills punt returner Brandon Codrington.

Though he narrowly missed Codrington, Araiza collided with Bills cornerback Cam Lewis, knocking him to the ground. The clip of Araiza’s hustle and physicality spread rapidly on X, gaining over 5 million views and a wave of fan reactions in less than 24 hours.

Watch Chiefs punter Matt Araiza pic.twitter.com/8OcvwY0f7O
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) November 20, 2024

“That’s crazy,” one fan commented.

That’s crazy
— Dennis (@Dockmanin916) November 21, 2024

Another chimed in, “That boy a dawg!” reflecting the admiration for Araiza’s all-out effort.

That boy a dawg!
— Trøøp Ålmïghty³ (@Kxngtroopa) November 21, 2024

Araiza, known as the “Punt God” for his collegiate achievements and powerful leg, joined the Chiefs earlier this year after a stint with the Bills in 2022.

His presence has bolstered Kansas City’s special teams, but Sunday’s highlight added a whole new dimension to his reputation.

While the Chiefs may have lost the game, Araiza’s fiery display left a lasting impression, turning a routine punt into one of the most talked-about plays of the week.

His actions against the Bills not only showed his competitive spirit but also added an unexpected spark to an otherwise disappointing day for Kansas City.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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