Maxwell Hairston Maintains Innocence in Civil Lawsuit, Bills Stand by Rookie Cornerback

Buffalo Bills rookie CB Maxwell Hairston responded to a recent civil lawsuit and publicly declared his innocence during the team’s training camp at St. John Fisher University. Hairston, who was drafted in the first round with the 27th pick, addressed the matter for the first time following the Bills’ opening summer practice.

“It’s been something I’ve been dealing with since I was 17. It’s been four years now,” Hairston said after signing autographs for fans. The lawsuit, filed July 1st in U.S. District Court in Kentucky, alleges that Hairston sexually assaulted a woman in her University of Kentucky dorm room in March 2021.

Despite the allegations, Hairston said that both police and university investigations cleared him.

“I went through this whole process with the police,” he stated.

“They went through a thorough investigation, and I was exonerated from that. The University of Kentucky did a thorough investigation. I was exonerated from that as well. I volunteered to do multiple polygraphs because I was determined to get my truth out there, because I have nothing to hide. I was an open book. I have two sisters that I love dearly, and I respect all females.”

Bills GM Brandon Beane reaffirmed the team's support for Hairston and maintained confidence in its pre-draft vetting process.

“It is frustrating because in the legal world you can’t sit there and say things back and forth. You got to let it go,” Beane said during a press conference at training camp.

“But this happened to this young man over four years ago. He gave up his phone to prove some of … he took a polygraph test. This kid didn’t run from anything. He answered every single thing.”

Beane continued, “We have to remember in society that people can make accusations and do things. And I have no idea what the agenda is there. But I can tell you every stone we turned over, every door we looked behind, this is a very good young man. A young man you would let in your house, you would let watch your kids, hang out with whoever. Like he is genuinely a good person. He’s got sisters, he’s got a mother, he’s got a great family, raised the right way.”

Beane also referenced a prior case involving former Bills punter Matt Araiza, using it to caution against rushing to judgment based on accusations alone.

“I would feel terrible if someone said that about one of my sons,” Beane said. “And I think we need to remember in the world, and I’m not going to get into it but we see these accusations, sometimes these guys can be victims too. They make a lot of money and I just want to make sure [because] . . . rarely do people defend them. And that’s hard for me in this seat sometimes because I’ve seen it. We’ve had it here with a player here a few years ago that’s no longer here that was wrongly accused.”

Maxwell Hairston Maintains Innocence in Civil Lawsuit, Bills Stand by Rookie Cornerback