Brandon McManus released by commanders; Kicker accused in sexual assault lawsuit

The Washington Commanders announced on Sunday that they have released kicker Brandon McManus.

Last week, two women filed a civil lawsuit against McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars, accusing the 32-year-old of sexually harassing them during a team flight to London last year.

According to Marlene Lenthang, Austin Mullen and Courtney Brogle of NBC News, the women claimed in the lawsuit that McManus “rubbed himself against them and attempted to kiss one of them while they were boarding a team-chartered flight from Florida to England on September 28.”

The commanders said in a statement earlier this week that they were aware of the lawsuit.

“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 making any further comment at this time,” the team said at the time.

McManus played all 17 games of the 2023 season with the Jaguars after spending the first nine years of his career with the Denver Broncos. He signed a one-year contract with the Commanders in March.

The civil suit, filed in Duval County, Florida, seeks more than $1 million in damages. According to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, the women are asking for the case to go to a jury.

McManus’s lawyer denied the allegations in a statement and said he would fight to clear his name.

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