NFL
Two flight attendants are suing Brandon McManus: What is the NFL kicker accused of?
Former Jackonsville kicker McManus is being sued by two women who allege he sexually assaulted them on the Jaguars’ flight to London in September last year.
Two women have accused NFL kicker Brandon McManus of sexually assaulting them while they worked as part of the cabin crew on a flight to London last year, according to ESPN journalist Michael DiRocco.
What do the plaintiffs say McManus did on London flight?
DiRocco reports that the women, identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, have filed a lawsuit against McManus after he allegedly sought to rub himself up against them during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ September 2023 flight to London. The NFL team was travelling to the UK capital to play two International Series games, against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley on 1 October, and against the Buffalo Bills at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 8 October.
“According to the lawsuit, the two women worked as flight attendants on the Jaguars’ Sept. 28, 2023, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings charter flight,” DiRocco explains. “And 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. 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.”
How much are Jane Doe I and II seeking in damages?
Jane Doe I also says McManus tried to kiss her, reports DiRocco, who reveals that the women are suing the Jaguars, too. They reportedly accuse the NFL franchise of “failing to supervise McManus and failing to create a safe environment for staff serving the team”, and are seeking more than $1 million in damages.
McManus spent the 2023 season with the Jaguars, scoring 30 of his 37 field-goal attempts, before signing a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders in March this year. The 32-year-old, who is set to earn a guaranteed salary of $1.5 million with the Commanders, previously had a nine-year spell with the Denver Broncos, having been traded to the Colorado franchise from the New York Giants.
Commanders respond to news of McManus lawsuit
In a statement issued to Washington Post reporter Nicki Jhabvala, the Commanders said: “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. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”
Per DiRocco, McManus was expected to release a statement later today, while the Jaguars have refused to comment on the accusations against their former player.