Maxwell Hairston faces sexual assault accusation in lawsuit by former Kentucky student
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Former Kentucky football player Maxwell Hairston is facing an accusation of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed by an ex-UK student.
The woman, identified as Rebecca Hendryx, says the incident occurred in 2021 when she and Hairston lived in the same dorm at UK. ESPN’s Shwetha Surendran shared details from the suit:
That March, the lawsuit alleges, Hairston went to Hendryx’s room without being invited and followed her into her room after she declined to hang out with him. After Hendryx “[expressed] … her non-interest in engaging in sexual intercourse with him several times,” Hairston “forcefully removed” her pajama shorts and sexually assaulted her, according to the lawsuit.
Hariston has not been charged with a crime. He is preparing for his rookie NFL season after being selected in the first round of this year’s draft by the Buffalo Bills.
When Surendran asked the Bills for comment, the team referred to previous comments made by general manager Brandon Beane in April, saying the organization “fully investigated” a 2021 allegation and found there did not “seem to be anything there,” calling Hariston “an impeccable kid.”
Hendryx’s suit states she reported the incident “within hours” and received a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) exam at a hospital after speaking to police. Per Surendran, the suit does not state the outcome of the SANE exam, and Hendryx’s lawyers declined to provide ESPN with university or hospital documents on the matter.
A Lexington police spokesperson told Surendran the department did not have a report matching an allegation against Hairston. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office had not responded by ESPN’s publication time.
Hendryx transferred from UK in 2021. Hairston redshirted in 2021, his freshman season. He remained with the Wildcats for 3 more seasons, playing in 32 games, making 20 starts.
Hairston recorded 89 tackles, 10 pass breakups and 6 interceptions over his career, earning second-team All-SEC recognition in 2023 and ’24. Hairston’s 3 interceptions returned for TDs tied a program record.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.