Brandon McManus accused of sexual assault during flight

Two women have accused kicker Brandon McManus of sexually harassing them during a flight to London during the 2023 NFL season, according to a report by ESPN’s Michael DiRocco.

The Denver Broncos released McManus last spring and he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The alleged incidents occurred during the Jaguars’ flight to London for a game against the Atlanta Falcons last September.

In a lawsuit, the two women accused McManus of “rubbing and grinding against them,” DiRocco said. He is also accused of attempting to kiss one of the flight attendants.

The Jaguars decided not to re-sign McManus after the 2023 season, and he subsequently signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders.

“We were informed earlier today of the civil lawsuit filed against Brandon McManus on May 24,” the Commanders said in a statement about Nicki Jhabvala from the WashingtonPost“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.”

The kicker’s lawyer has firmly rejected the allegations.

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

McManus, 32, played for the Broncos from 2014 to 2022 and helped the team win Super Bowl 50 in 2015. He married his wife Nadia in 2016. The veteran kicker is entering his 11th season in the NFL.