Maxwell Hairston, a first-round draft pick for the Buffalo Bills, has been accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed by an Ohio woman named Rebecca Hendryx. The alleged incident occurred in 2021 when both Hairston and Hendryx were students at the University of Kentucky.
According to the complaint, the two initially met while living in the same dormitory. The suit claims that Hairston entered Hendryx’s room uninvited after she declined his request to hang out and subsequently sexually assaulted her.
Allegation Reported Quickly but Evidence and Responses Remain Limited and Confidential So Far
The lawsuit states that Hairston followed Hendryx into her room despite her clear refusals and forcibly removed her pajama shorts after she repeatedly told him she was not interested in engaging in sexual activity. Hendryx reported the incident to law enforcement “within hours” and underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam at a hospital after speaking to police. However, the outcome of the police report and SANE exam remains unclear, and Hendryx’s legal team has withheld official documents, citing confidentiality concerns.
Maxwell Hairston (NFL)Neither Hairston nor his agent has responded publicly to the lawsuit. The Buffalo Bills also declined to comment directly, referring instead to earlier statements made by general manager Brandon Beane during the NFL draft. At that time, Beane indicated that the team had “fully investigated” the 2021 allegation and found Hairston to be “an impeccable kid,” suggesting there was no substantial evidence to support the claim.
Authorities Unaware of Report as Case Raises Questions About Athlete Allegation Handling
Law enforcement agencies have not confirmed any record of a sexual assault allegation against Hairston. A spokeswoman for the Lexington Police Department said there was no matching report on file. Additionally, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to media inquiries.
The University of Kentucky stated it could not comment on the case but emphasized that all sexual assault allegations are investigated thoroughly by university officials, police, and Title IX authorities.
The lawsuit reveals that Hendryx transferred from the University of Kentucky in 2021 following the incident. As of now, Hairston has not been criminally charged in connection with the allegation. The legal case brings renewed scrutiny to how institutions and professional sports teams handle serious accusations, particularly when potential recruits are involved. With no formal charges yet and legal proceedings ongoing, the situation remains unresolved.
