Brandon McManus' lawyer responds to sexual assault allegations

NFL

By Jaclyn Hendricks

Commanders kicker Brandon McManus has denied sexual assault allegations made against him in a new lawsuit, with his attorney calling the allegations “absolutely fictitious and patently false” in a statement released Monday evening.

Hours after ESPN reported that McManus, 32, was at the center of a lawsuit in which the NFL pro is accused of “grinding” and “grinding” on two women during 'a team flight to London in 2023 while he was a member. Jaguars attorney Brett R. Gallaway released a statement on behalf of his client.

“These are absolutely fictitious and blatantly false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and denigrate a talented and respected NFL player,” Gallaway said. “We intend to aggressively defend Brandon's rights and integrity and clear his name by exposing what these claims really are: an extortion attempt.”

The women, who are also suing the Jaguars, accusing the Jacksonville organization of “failing to supervise McManus,” are seeking more than $1 million in damages, ESPN reported.

The two men were flight attendants aboard the Jaguars' Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings charter flight Sept. 28, 2023, to the United Kingdom ahead of two international competitions last season, claiming in the lawsuit that the transport “quickly transformed into a party.

In the complaint filed Friday in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, McManus allegedly “recruited three other flight attendants to the party and handed out $100 bills to encourage them to drink and dance in ways inappropriate for him,” reported ESPN.

McManus is also accused in the lawsuit of “attempting to kiss” one of the women while she remained seated in her seat during the turbulence, “and brushing up against her on two occasions” during the distribution meals.

The other woman claimed the athlete “rubbed himself against her” while she was serving the second meal course, and after confronting McManus, he “smiled and walked away,” according to the lawsuit.

She reportedly “stayed on the second floor of the plane to avoid McManus” during a trip from London to Jacksonville on October 8, 2023.

The women “experienced severe mental anguish, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation” as a result of the apparent ordeal, according to the complaint.

The Jaguars, who signed McManus to a one-year contract in May 2023, addressed the issue in a statement Monday.

“We are aware of the complaint and recognize the significance of the claims,” the Jaguars said in a statement. “As we continue to study the matter, it is worth emphasizing that we insist on an organization built by people who represent our community and our game with the highest character and class.”

McManus is entering his 11th season in the NFL and his first with the Commanders, whom he joined in March.

The organization said Monday it was “looking into the matter.”

“Earlier today, we were informed of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus,” the commanders said in a statement. “We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are investigating the matter. We have been in communication with the League office and Brandon representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.

The Commanders open the season against the Buccanneers in Tampa on Sunday, September 8.

If you have been sexually assaulted and live in New York, you can call 1-800-942-6906 for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live out of state, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673.