NFL Kicker Accused of Sexual Assault

Two women are suing NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars, alleging that McManus sexually assaulted them during the team’s overseas flight to London last year, according to court documents obtained by ESPN.

The two women – identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II in the lawsuit filed Friday night in Duval County Circuit Civil Court – accuse McManus of rubbing himself against them and grinding against them. They also accuse the Jaguars of failing to supervise McManus and failing to create a safe environment for staff serving the team.

McManus is accused of sexual assault

They are seeking in excess of $1 million and are demanding a jury trial.

A statement from McManus or his attorney is likely to be released later Monday, a source told ESPN. The Jaguars declined to comment through a team spokesman. ESPN has also reached out to McManus’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

The Jaguars did not re-sign McManus this offseason; he signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Washington Commanders on March 14.

“Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter,” the Commanders said in a statement. “We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”

According to the lawsuit, the two women worked as flight attendants on the Jaguars’ Sept. 28, 2023, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings charter flight. They allege the flight “quickly turned into a party” as McManus and several other players disregarded the flight attendants’ personal space, air travel safety, and federal law.

A party atmosphere on the plane

The lawsuit also claims that McManus recruited three other flight attendants to the party and passed out $100 bills to encourage them to drink and dance inappropriately for him.

Doe I accuses McManus of trying to kiss her while she was seated during a session of turbulence and twice grinding up against her while she was serving the flight’s two meal services, per the lawsuit. Doe I alleges during the first assault she made eye contact with another Jaguars player, who she said looked ashamed of McManus’ behavior.

Doe II alleges that McManus grinded up against her while she was serving the flight’s second meal service. Per the lawsuit, Doe II confronted McManus, who “smirked and walked away.”

The lawsuit says Doe II remained in the aircraft’s second story to avoid McManus on the team’s flight from London to Jacksonville on Oct. 8.

The lawsuit says the September flight was the first Jaguars charter flight the two women worked, and they have experienced severe mental anguish, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment, and humiliation. They have been removed from the core crew that staffs Jaguars charter flights, which is something they worked hard to achieve, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit alleges the Jaguars committed gross negligence by failing to properly hire McManus, train him about inappropriate and sexual contact with flight staff, supervise him on the flight, adopt policies and procedures to protect flight staff from sexual misconduct by employees, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behavior.

Justice for the victims

The lawsuit is a stark reminder of the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for all individuals, including flight staff. It is essential that teams and organizations take allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and take prompt action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.