JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Attorneys for former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus are seeking to have a lawsuit against him dismissed because the two women who are accusing him of sexual assault won’t identify themselves.
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A court hearing was held Thursday in Duval County to discuss the case in which McManus has been accused of sexually assaulting two women during the team’s flight to London in 2023. The flight attendants are seeking more than $1 million and demanding a jury trial.
His attorney called the allegations “absolutely fictitious” and said Thursday that the lawsuit has resulted in McManus losing his job and a tarnished reputation.
The unidentified women, who were working as flight attendants on the Jaguars Sept. 28, 2023, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings charter flight, filed the lawsuit that claims McManus, 33, rubbed himself against them and was grinding on them during what was described as a party-like atmosphere on the flight. 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 for him.
The women also accused the Jaguars of failing to supervise McManus and failing to create a safe environment for staff serving the team. A recent amended complaint in the case said the Jaguars routinely allowed players to bring alcohol on and drink on team flights, which is against NFL rules.
“Despite this rule, the Jaguars created two different seating areas -- one upstairs and one downstairs. One area was for those wishing to rest and follow the team rules. The other area was for those wishing to drink to excess, play cards or dice, and party. In other words, despite having a rule that players cannot drink alcohol, the Jaguars allowed to exist a specific seating area such that that behavior could take place,” the amended complaint states.
An attorney for the Jaguars was at the court hearing Thursday and said the accuser’s stories just don’t make sense.
“The Jaguars are committed to maintaining a respectful and professional environment for all individuals. The allegations related to the team plane as claimed are outrageous, false and without merit. Contrary to the assertions by counsel for the plaintiffs, the Jaguars have a clear policy prohibiting alcohol consumption on charted team flights. This policy is strictly enforced,” the Jaguars told News4JAX in a statement.
The Jaguars attorney added that anonymity means the team’s attorneys can’t begin their discovery process.
According to court records filed last week, McManus’ attorneys argue that the “plaintiffs’ counsel cannot be permitted to use anonymity as a sword and shield in this manner.”
“Despite making salacious public allegations—the mere filing of which have already caused significant professional, reputational and financial harm to McManus, including the termination of his employment contract with the Washington Commanders for the upcoming NFL season— Plaintiffs Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II...nonetheless impermissibly seek to rely upon anonymous pseudonymous, thereby depriving the public of its legitimate interest in knowing Plaintiffs’ identities,” his attorneys wrote in a court filing.
Attorneys for his accusers said McManus only wants the flight attendants identified “because he is concerned with his reputation and is concerned that by Plaintiffs proceeding anonymously will cause him financial harm.” They said Florida law allows accusers in civil lawsuits to be named later.
“[McManus’] concern is unfounded, unsupported by civil law, and is a heartless perversion of the Doe doctrine meant to protect individuals litigating against more powerful individuals and entities,” the attorneys for the women wrote.
The attorneys for the accusers said Thursday that they fear they will be victim-shamed and are concerned about the power of the NFL.
On the other side, McManus’ attorneys said the women “ironically seek to proceed anonymously, while simultaneously engaging in incessant public and social media attacks on McManus through their counsel who relishes any and every opportunity for media attention.”
On Thursday, the judge took both arguments into consideration but did not make a ruling.
The accusers are set to be interviewed by the NFL as part of its investigation.
McManus played one season for the Jaguars after spending nine seasons with the Denver Broncos. He signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Washington Commanders on March 14, but he was cut by the team in June.