Commanders K Brandon McManus named in sexual assault lawsuit

21:14: We have now seen statements from the three NFL-affiliated parties involved in this litigation: McManus, the Jaguarsand that Commanders. McManus’ representative, Brett R. Gallaway, spoke on this topicand said the allegations were “absolutely fabricated and demonstrably false” and “part of a campaign to defame and vilify” McManus, according to Sam Fortier of the Washington Post.

The Jaguars’ statementprovided by Fortier, and the Commanders’ statement, provided by Nicki Jhabvala, also of the Post, both confirmed the allegations and their severity, and claimed to be investigating the matter. The Commanders noted that they “take allegations of this nature very seriously,” and the Jaguars stressed that they “insist on an organization built by people who represent (their) community and their game with the highest character and class.” While both statements reflect the directions each organization is trying to move in, they ring a little hollow, as both franchises have faced several less-than-ideal workplace issues in recent years.

13:53: Brandon McManus spent the 2023 season as the Jaguars’ kicker. His behavior during a flight with the team to London is now the subject of a lawsuit.

McManus has been sued by two women who filed the suit in civil court in Duval County Circuit Court on Friday, as detailed by ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. The anonymous plaintiffs accuse McManus of rubbing and grinding against them during the Jaguars’ flight to London on Sept. 28, 2023. Both women worked as flight attendants at the time but have since been removed from the crew that handles the team’s flights.

The lawsuit alleges that McManus was among the members of the team that turned the flight into a “party” and that he “recruited three other flight attendants” in addition to the two plaintiffs. The 32-year-old is accused of handing out cash so that employees would “drink and dance inappropriately for him” during the flight. The lawsuit calls for a jury trial and damages in excess of $1 million.

Neither McManus nor his attorney have yet made an official statement on the matter, but DiRocco reports that a statement is expected later today. The Jaguars (who are also named in the lawsuit for lack of in-flight supervision) have also not yet responded to the allegation. McManus played one season in Jacksonville before his contract expired. In March, he signed a one-year deal with the Commanders.

The Temple product played nine years with the Broncos, which came to a somewhat unexpected end with his release last season. McManus was able to rebound from his last season in Denver in terms of accuracy during his lone season with the Jags, converting 30 of 37 field goal attempts and all 35 of his extra point kicks. His contract with the Commanders is worth $3.6 million, including a $1.5 million signing bonus that has already been paid out. Washington currently has no other kicker on the roster.