Buffalo Bills’ first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston faces allegations in a 2021 lawsuit at the University of Kentucky accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Kentucky, claims the woman entered a dorm room uninvited, ignored her refusal of sexual advances, forced her to remove her lower clothing, and sexually assaulted her. The Associated Press typically does not reveal the identity of sexual assault victims.
On Wednesday, Hairston’s agents were contacted for comment. The Bills issued no new statement, instead referring to a previous comment from General Manager Brandon Beane during the draft in April. Beane mentioned a thorough investigation into the 2021 sexual assault allegations involving Hairston, whom the team had described positively. Beane expressed regret over the association of such allegations with Hairston’s name and indicated there seemed to be no basis to the claims.
Hairston, from West Bloomfield, Michigan, played three seasons at Kentucky (2022-2024) and was picked 30th overall in the first round of the April NFL Draft by the Bills. At 21 years old, Hairston is considered a strong candidate for a starting cornerback position this season. He completed mandatory practices in mid-June and is set to return for training camp later this month.
Fan Take: This news is significant for NFL fans because it highlights the ongoing scrutiny and responsibility teams face in vetting players off the field. How the league and the Bills handle such allegations could influence public trust and the culture of accountability within the sport.
