The case stems from a 2021 allegation throughout Hairston’s freshman yr on the College of Kentucky that drew little consideration in the course of the predraft course of. Hairston was 17 on the time of the alleged incident, per Jana Bardahl and Tim Graham of The Athletic. The alleged sufferer, an Ohio girl, finally transferred out of the varsity.
Within the go well with, the unnamed girl says Hairston sexually assaulted her in her dorm room on March 25, 2021. The go well with alleges Hairston eliminated the lady’s pajamas, after she had indicated she was drained and tired of sexual activity, and assaulted her. The girl filed a police report on the time, in response to Bardahl and Graham, and went by way of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner examination at a hospital.
Shortly after choosing Hairston, Payments normal supervisor Brandon Beane referred to as him “an impeccable child” and mentioned that the incident was “totally investigated” by each the college and his personal workers in Buffalo.
“It was a type of the place there was zero — zero — data saying that this really occurred,” Beane mentioned in April, via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith.
The College of Kentucky and the Payments each declined to touch upon the lawsuit, per WKBW.
As of 2023, the NFL’s private conduct coverage consists of language that enables the league to analyze and self-discipline gamers for conduct from earlier than they had been drafted, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. That would come with the allegation in opposition to Hairston, although the league could anticipate the civil proceedings to play out earlier than making a dedication of its personal.
The Payments selected Hairston thirtieth total, making him the second pure cornerback taken on this draft. His rookie contract — value a completely assured $15.28M — runs by way of 2028 and features a fifth-year choice for 2029.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report.
