Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, the Buffalo Bills' first-round draft pick, 30th overall, speaks during an NFL football news conference in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, April 25, 2025
Maxwell Hairston on April 25, 2025.
Buffalo Bills' first-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston has been accused of sexual assaulting a woman in 2021
The alleged assault reportedly happened at the University of Kentucky, where Hairston played for three years
According to the complaint, obtained by PEOPLE, Hairston allegedly assaulted the woman after entering her dorm room uninvited
Buffalo Bills' first-round draft pack Maxwell Hairston has been accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit.
The 21-year-old was accused in the complaint, filed in federal court on Tuesday, July 1 and obtained by PEOPLE, of assaulting a woman at the University of Kentucky in 2021. The woman claims that Hairston entered her dorm room uninvited and sexually assaulted her after she told him she didn't want to have intercourse. Hairston allegedly "forcibly removed" the victim's clothing during the assault.
Hairston's alleged sexual assault was already known to the Bills, who "had no comment" when asked by The Associated Press, and the team reportedly pointed the outlet to a quote from general manager Brandon Beane during the draft in April. Beane, at the time, said the Bills had "fully investigated" the allegation against Hairston.
Buffalo Bills cornerbacks Maxwell Hairston (31) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., May 9, 2025.
Buffalo Bills cornerbacks Maxwell Hairston (31) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., May 9, 2025.
Beane called Hairston an "impeccable kid" at the time and said it's "unfortunate when things like that are attached to someone's name." The general manager said in Hairston's case, there "doesn't seem to be anything there," per the AP.
The Buffalo Bills did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment regarding the allegations against Hairston.
According to the complaint, the victim reported the alleged incident to police "within hours" of the assault and underwent a sexual assault exam at the hospital. The complaint does not include the results of the victim's test.
The victim transferred from the University of Kentucky in 2021 due to the alleged assault, the complaint claims. "The emotional and psychological harm she sustained made it impossible for her to continue her education in the same environment where the assault occurred."
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Hairston was selected by the Bills at No. 30 in the first round of April's draft. The Michigan native played three seasons at Kentucky before entering the NFL. Bills training camp will begin later this month.