An Ohio woman has brought forward a lawsuit against Maxwell Hairston, the Buffalo Bills’ first-round draft pick, alleging he sexually assaulted her back in 2021 when they were both students at the University of Kentucky.
Details of the Allegation
The lawsuit filed Tuesday reveals that Hairston and the woman, named as Rebecca Hendryx, first crossed paths in early 2021 while living in the same dormitory. The complaint outlines how, in March of that year, Hairston allegedly forced his way into Hendryx’s dorm room uninvited after she had turned down his invitation to spend time together. The suit alleges that Hairston forcibly removed her pajama shorts and sexually assaulted her, despite her clear and repeated refusals to engage in any sexual activity.
Legal and Institutional Responses
Hairston, who has not been criminally charged to date, remains silent on the matter—neither he nor his agent have responded to requests for comment. The Buffalo Bills organization has also stayed quiet, instead referring back to statements made by General Manager Brandon Beane last April. Beane had claimed the organization conducted a \”full investigation\” into a 2021 sexual assault allegation against Hairston before selecting him with the 30th overall pick. He characterized Hairston as an \”impeccable kid\” and maintained the team uncovered no credible evidence of misconduct.
Law Enforcement and University Reactions
The lawsuit indicates that Hendryx reported the alleged assault to law enforcement within hours of the incident and completed a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) exam as part of the reporting process. The legal filing, though, doesn’t reveal what the police investigation uncovered or what the medical examination showed. When contacted, representatives from the Lexington police department stated they have no report on file matching the sexual assault allegation involving Hairston. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t responded to requests for comment.
Dani Jaffe, a spokeswoman for the University of Kentucky, wouldn’t discuss the specific case but stressed that the school takes all sexual assault allegations seriously and investigates them thoroughly. Jaffe explained that these investigations typically involve multiple parties—police, Title IX officials, student conduct offices, and other relevant departments—with disciplinary measures implemented when necessary to safeguard students. The complaint notes that Hendryx transferred from the university in 2021.
Report contributed by ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.
