An attorney for McManus said he will “aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity” after two flight attendants accused him of sexual assault.
A North Penn 2009 graduate and former placekicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars was accused in civil court on Friday of sexually assaulting two flight attendants last year on a private charter plane, according to ESPN.
Brandon McManus and the Jaguars are being sued for more than $1 million by two women in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, alleging McManus assaulted them during an overseas flight to London, per the report.
McManus, a native of Hatfield, signed a one-year $3.6-million deal with the Washington Commanders in March.
According to ESPN and court documents, the flight attendants were on the Jaguars’ Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings charter flight on Sept. 28, 2023, where the flight turned into a party and McManus is accused of recruiting three other flight attendants to the party and passed out $100 bills to entice them to drink and dance inappropriately for him.
One victim accused McManus of kissing her during a bout of turbulence and grinding up against her while she was serving meals, per the report. During the alleged assault, the victim made eye contact with another player, who was ashamed of McManus’s behavior, per the allegations.
The second victim told authorities that McManus also grinded his body against her while she was serving meals, and then smirked and walked away, per the report. She then avoided McManus during the team’s flight back home on Oct. 8, per the report.
Both women have been removed from the crew and suffer from “severe mental anguish, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation,” per the article.
The lawsuit alleges the Jacksonville Jaguars organization failed to not only supervise McManus but also promoted an unsafe environment for the staff, according to the report.
The victims are demanding a jury trial. No criminal charges have been filed as of Tuesday.
McManus’s attorney Brett R. Gallaway issued a statement to ESPN on Monday:
“These are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player … We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are – an extortion attempt.”
Washington Commanders also issued a statement Monday:
“Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit field on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We’ve been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”
Jacksonville Jaguars issued a statement as well on Monday:
“We’re aware of the complaint, and we acknowledge the significance of the claims. As we continue to look into the matter, it bears emphasizing that we insist on an organization built by people who represent our community and game with the highest character and class.”
