Brandon McManus: NFL kicker allegedly sexually harassed two flight attendants during a team flight last season

CNN
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Two women accuse NFL kicker Brandon McManus of sexually harassing them on a team flight to London for the Jacksonville Jaguars last September.

The women, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, worked as flight attendants on the Sept. 28 flight chartered by the Jaguars team. Both women allege that McManus “rubbed” his erect, clothed penis on them during meal service. McManus also attempted to kiss Jane Doe 1 earlier during the flight, the lawsuit says.

McManus, who has since signed a contract to join the Washington Commanders, denies the allegations in the lawsuit. A lawyer for McManus disputes the women’s statements.

“To be clear, these are absolutely fabricated and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and respected NFL player,” McManus’ attorney Brett R. Gallaway told CNN. “We intend to vigorously defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing these allegations are what they really are – an extortion attempt.”

The Jaguars team is also named in the lawsuit, accusing it of, among other things, “gross negligence” for failing to provide a safe working environment for flight crew. The team did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Head coach Doug Pederson said at a press conference on Tuesday that he could not comment “until more information is available.”

A spokesman for the Commanders, McManus’ current team, said: “On Monday we were informed of the civil lawsuit filed against Brandon McManus on May 24. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are investigating the matter. We are in contact with the league office and Brandon’s representative and will refrain from commenting further at this time.”

NFL spokesman Tim Schlittner told CNN the league was aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment further.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the two flight attendants, said in a statement on social media that the women and their legal team had attempted to “resolve this matter without litigation” before filing the lawsuit.

“Our efforts to find a solution were met with arrogance, ignorance and stupidity,” the lawyer said.

The women say they have and will continue to have mental and emotional problems as a result of McManus’ alleged actions. They are seeking more than $1 million in damages and a jury trial from the NFL player and the Jaguars.

“The allegations made in this lawsuit are very serious,” Buzbee said. “We thoroughly reviewed them and spoke to witnesses before we even accepted the cases. We will pursue this case with the same tenacity we are known for. It is a shame that this type of behavior still occurs. It happens far too often.”