Commanders kicker Brandon McManus has denied the sexual assault allegations made against him in a new lawsuit, with his lawyer saying in a statement Monday night that the allegations are “completely false and patently false.”
After several hours ESPN reported. McManus, 32, is at the center of the lawsuit, which accuses him of “rubbing up against” and “glubbing himself up” with two women while he was a member of the Jaguars on a team flight to London in 2023. His attorney, Brett R. Gallaway, released a statement on his client’s behalf.
“These are completely false and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to smear and disparage a talented and respected NFL player,” Gallaway said. “We intend to vigorously defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and restore his reputation by showing that these allegations are, in fact, an attempt at extortion.”
According to ESPN, the women are suing the Jacksonville Jaguars, claiming that the team “failed to supervise McManus,” and are seeking more than $1 million in damages.
The pair worked as flight attendants on the Jaguars’ charter flight from Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. to the UK on Sept. 28, 2023, ahead of two international games last season, but claim in the lawsuit that the trip “quickly turned into a party.”
According to ESPN, the lawsuit, filed Friday in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, alleges that McManus “invited three other flight attendants to a party, handed out $100 bills and encouraged them to drink alcohol and dance inappropriately.”
McManus is also accused in the lawsuit of “attempting to kiss” one of the women in his seat during the turbulence and “twice rubbing himself against her” as food was being served.
The other woman alleged that during the second meal serving, a player “stormed up to her” and when she confronted McManus, he “smirked and walked away,” according to the lawsuit.
She reportedly “remained on the second floor of the plane to avoid McManus” during her trip from London to Jacksonville on Oct. 8, 2023.
The women “experienced severe mental distress, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation” as a result of the apparent ordeal, according to the lawsuit.
The Jaguars, who signed McManus to a one-year contract in May 2023, addressed the incident in a statement on Monday.
“We are aware of the complaints and acknowledge their seriousness,” the Jaguars said in a statement. “As we continue to investigate this matter, we need to emphasize that we stand by our organization, built by people who represent our community and our game with the utmost integrity and class.”
McManus is in his 11th season in the NFL and his first with the Commanders, whom he joined in March.
The group said Monday that it was “investigating the matter.”
“We were informed today of a civil lawsuit filed on May 24th against Brandon McManus,” Commanders said. It said in a statement“We take allegations like this very seriously and are investigating the matter. We have been in contact with league office and Brandon’s representatives and will not be making any further comment at this time.”
The Commanders open the season on Sunday, September 8th in Tampa against the Buccaneers.
If you live in New York State and have been sexually assaulted, you can receive free, confidential crisis counseling by calling 1-800-942-6906. If you live outside of New York State, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-656-4673.
