The Buffalo Bills are backing their first-round draft pick for 2025, despite accusations of sexual assault from a lawsuit filed in early July.
As training camps take place in Rochester, General Manager Brandon Bean spoke about Maxwell Hairston, who has been named as a defendant in a legal case alleging that he sexually assaulted a woman while a student at the University of Kentucky in 2021.
Bean emphasized that Hairston is not avoiding the claims and expressed confidence in the young player’s character.
“It’s frustrating because in the legal realm, you can’t really have open exchanges. You just have to wait it out,” Bean shared with reporters. “This incident happened over four years ago. He cooperated fully, even taking a polygraph test.”
“He’s genuinely a good person. I think we need to recognize that sometimes the accusers can also, well, become victims themselves. Financial motivations can complicate things, and it’s not always protective for them,” Bean added.
The lawsuit, filed in Kentucky by a woman named Rebecca Hendrix, claims that Hairston entered her dorm room without an invitation. Hendrix alleges that he “forcibly removed” his clothes and assaulted her after she stated she was not interested in engaging in sexual activities.
Hairston was 17 at the time of the alleged incident and commented for the first time on the lawsuit, saying he had previously worked with the police to address the accusations, asserting he was cleared of wrongdoing.
He is not facing any criminal charges related to the incident.
“The University of Kentucky conducted a thorough investigation, and I was cleared. I was open about everything and volunteered for polygraphs—I couldn’t conceal anything. I’m very transparent,” Hairston stated.
Hairston was selected 30th overall in the draft after playing three seasons at Kentucky, where he recorded six interceptions and 89 tackles.
Bean reiterated his belief in Hairston’s character, saying, “Anyone who knows Maxwell Hairston understands that he is a fantastic young man.”
