Former New York Giants kicker Brandon McManus charged with sexual assault

Two women – identified in Duval County civil court as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II – are suing former New York Giants kicker Brandon McManus, claiming he sexually assaulted them on a flight to London last year when he was a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

McManus, 32, who now plays for the Washington Commanders, is accused of “rubbing” and “dragging” himself on the women at various times during the flight without their consent.

The two unknown men are also suing the Jaguars for “failing to create a safe environment,” ESPN reports.

According to the lawsuit, the two women worked as flight attendants on the Jaguars’ Sept. 28, 2023 charter flight with Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. They claim the flight “quickly turned into a party” as McManus and several other players disregarded the flight attendants’ privacy, flight safety and federal law. The lawsuit also alleges that McManus recruited three other flight attendants for the party and handed out $100 bills to encourage them to drink and dance inappropriately for him.

The lawsuit says the September flight was the first Jaguars charter flight on which the two women had worked. They said they experienced severe mental anguish, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation. They were removed from the core crew of the Jaguars charter flights, something they had worked hard for, the lawsuit says.

In a statement, McManus’ attorney Brett R. Gallaway called the allegations “demonstrably false.”

“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’ Gallaway said in a statement Monday night. “We intend to vigorously defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these allegations really are – an extortion attempt.”

Both the Jaguars and the Commanders announced that they take the allegations very seriously.

“Today we were informed of the civil lawsuit filed against Brandon McManus on May 24. We take such allegations very seriously and are investigating the matter,” the Commanders said in a statement. “We have communicated with the league office and Brandon’s representative and will refrain from commenting further at this time.”

McManus originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent out of Temple following the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed with the Giants a year later, but was traded to the Denver Broncos following the conclusion of the preseason.

He spent nine seasons with the Broncos and won a Super Bowl before joining the Jaguars in 2023 and signing with the Commanders in the offseason.