Maxwell Hairston, once a standout cornerback for the University of Kentucky, has found himself embroiled in a deeply troubling legal battle that has shocked the college football world and hung a cloud over his recent entry into the professional ranks. Selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hairston was widely celebrated as a top-tier defensive prospect after three seasons at Kentucky, compiling six interceptions and 89 tackles between 2022 and 2024 . But now, his promising career is overshadowed by a civil lawsuit filed in early July 2025 that accuses him of sexual assault during his freshman year on campus in March 2021.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, was brought by a woman identified in reporting as Rebecca Hendryx, though the lawsuit itself does not publicly name her([lex18.com][3]). According to the legal filing, the plaintiff alleges that Hairston arrived uninvited at her dorm room late one night—March 24, 2021—at a time when both were students. The suit describes how Hairston purportedly knocked on her door, saying he wanted to “hang out,” despite her telling him she was tired and intending to go to bed. Ignoring her refusals, the suit alleges he entered, forcibly removed her shorts, and sexually assaulted her. The plaintiff stated she reported the incident “within hours” to law enforcement and underwent a forensic Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner exam at the hospital . She later transferred out of the university, and in the lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and compensatory damages on claims including sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and possibly first-degree rape and burglary as initially investigated under Title IX.
Hairston, now 21 and from West Bloomfield, Michigan, has never been criminally charged. Kentucky’s Title IX investigation, and later a separate probe by the Buffalo Bills during his pre-draft evaluation, both concluded there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations. According to Bills General Manager Brandon Beane, teams were fully aware of the “Title IX thing” prior to drafting Hairston. Beane publicly stated that Hairston had volunteered to take a polygraph test, and the school’s files, along with input from teammates and staff, showed no credible evidence of misconduct. “He’s an impeccable kid… it doesn’t seem to be anything there,” Beane said of the findings . In late April, Beane stressed that if there had been concrete concerns, Hairston would not have been invited to the NFL Combine, and teams doubted any wrongdoing after exhaustive vetting .
These statements came at a time when NFL teams increasingly face scrutiny for drafting players with past allegations of violence. Still, the presence of two independent investigations clearing Hairston appeared to assuage the Buffalo Bills. At the time of his selection, the organization described him as a “heck of a young man” with a strong character, backing their decision to bring him into the fold .
Yet, the emergence of a civil lawsuit complicates Hairston’s standing. Civil suits operate on the legal standard of “preponderance of evidence,” significantly lower than criminal cases. Even absent criminal charges, the lawsuit places legal and public relations pressures on Hairston and the Bills. It elevates the case into the public eye at a time when the organization is preparing for training camp later this month.
The lawsuit’s timeline raises significant questions. The plaintiff alleges she and Hairston initially met outside the dorm early in 2021 but had no further interaction until the night of the alleged assault. The lawsuit states Hairston told her he was under the influence during the incident—an assertion not reflected in prior investigations. The woman sought immediate action: she reported the alleged assault and later left the university in emotional distress—grounds she uses as justification in her civil complaint.
That she reported it to law enforcement in 2021 but no charges were filed suggests that prosecutors found insufficient evidence to bring criminal counts forward . Typically, without criminal charges, Title IX investigations might still recommend disciplinary action; it’s unclear if Kentucky ever imposed sanctions on Hairston. Beane’s comment indicates any Title IX process found no proof supporting the plaintiff’s claim, and Hairston was allowed to continue playing.
With multiple outlets—including the Associated Press, Reuters, ESPN, The Athletic, and others—reporting on the matter, public attention is intense. USA Today, ESPN, CNN, and others confirmed the key details: March 24, 2021 event, entry to dorm, forced removal of clothing, refusal by the plaintiff, subsequent hospital exam, and Kentucky’s investigation.
Given the high-profile nature of the NFL and the proximity of training camp, the timing of the lawsuit—filed in early July—is particularly sensitive. The Bills have remained officially quiet. Beane’s April statements are the most extensive public remarks to date, and there’s been no fresh comment from the team or Hairston’s representation since the lawsuit emerged.
Putting this lawsuit into broader context, professional sports have frequently struggled with allegations of sexual misconduct. College athletes often trigger Title IX reviews, while high‑profile NFL players have faced (and in some cases been convicted of) criminal sexual assault. Notable former NFL players—such as Greg Hardy, Darren Sharper, Shannon Sharpe—have been accused or convicted of violence against women, leading to legal penalties and reputational fallout. While Hardy and Sharper faced criminal convictions, Sharpe continues to deny allegations in active civil suits, and Hardy’s conviction led to imprisonment and eventual UFC controversies . Other players, like Shannon Sharpe of the Broncos, have faced civil suits with sensational allegations while denying wrongdoing, calling them “shakedowns.” Though Sharpe’s allegations involve behavior much more graphic and over a longer timeline, both cases involve accusations of sexual misconduct in legal settings.
This context highlights the heightened scrutiny athletes now face over misconduct allegations. College and pro teams increasingly vet character through background checks and psychological evaluations. In Hairston’s case, both Kentucky and the Bills conducted investigations and cleared him, yet the new lawsuit introduces a new front—a civil legal challenge predicated on shared factual claims but judged by different standards .
The plaintiff’s complaint asks for compensatory damages and a jury trial, amplifying the gravity of the allegations. While criminal trials require evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, civil trials hinge on whether a jury believes it is more likely than not the assault occurred. The potential financial and reputational repercussions for Hairston, and the implications for the Bills, are serious—and the case could stretch into 2026 football activities.
Public opinion has been swift and varied. Some fans point to the lack of criminal charges and the clean results from Title IX and NFL vetting as vindication. Others emphasize that the plaintiff’s immediate report and transfer suggest genuine trauma and credibility. Social media has seen impassioned takes: some draw parallels to other cases where NFL teams supported players cleared by internal investigations (only for public prosecutors or civil courts to reach different conclusions), while others warn of “trial by media” overshadowing due process.
Still, the burden in civil court lies with the plaintiff. Lawyers representing Hendryx have cited her “remarkable strength” and insist “no one – regardless of their status or athletic success – is above the law”([reuters.com][4]). Hairston and the Bills maintain that the core facts were already investigated thoroughly, and they’ve found “zero information” to support the allegations.
The unfolding drama brings into sharp relief the tension between legal processes (criminal vs. civil), public perception, and the responsibilities of organizations like college teams and NFL franchises to both players and victims. For Hairston, the outcome could determine not just his professional prospects but the legacy of his collegiate career. For the Bills, clear guidance from the NFL and prudent public management will be crucial in navigating the controversy as they prepare for the season.
Regardless of the court’s final ruling—or any potential settlement—the case is emblematic of a shifting cultural landscape: allegations of misconduct are no longer hidden or excused behind locker room walls. Whether in universities or professional sports, accountability and transparency are increasingly non-negotiable. How Buffalo, Kentucky, and Hairston respond now may define this chapter in his life—and set precedents for future cases.
As it stands, Hairston denies any wrongdoing. Kentucky and the Buffalo Bills stand by their findings. Still, the plaintiff’s decision to seek justice through a jury trial ensures the story is far from over. With training camp just weeks away, and court proceedings likely to extend deep into the NFL season, all eyes will be on how this case unfolds—as law, sports, and public scrutiny converge around one young athlete’s fate.
