Flight attendants sue Jaguars, former kicker Brandon McManus for sexual assault on team flight

The Jaguars and their former kicker Brandon McManus are facing a lawsuit and a potential jury trial over sexual assault allegations that emerged this week. According to ESPN, which acquired the court documents, two flight attendants who served on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ chartered flight to London during the 2023 NFL season are accusing McManus of sexual assault, as well as the Jaguars for enabling the alleged misconduct.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Friday night in Duval County, details how the current Washington Commanders kicker rubbed/grinded himself against two flight attendants – identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II – while on the team flight to London for the international series game against Atlanta Falcons.

The two women have accused McManus of touching them without consent on the flight that “quickly turned into a party.” Doe I accused McManus of attempting to kiss her while she was performing her duties on Sept. 28, 2023, aboard the Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings charter flight. The former Temple standout allegedly handed out $100 bills to other flight attendants in an effort to get them to drink and dance.

According to the filing, the women claim the NFL kicker’s attempts at assault were witnessed by other team members, including one who appeared to “look ashamed” at his teammates’ actions. While serving the team’s meal, Doe II confronted McManus when he grinded up against her, at which point he “smirked and walked away.”

McManus in hot water ahead of first season with Commanders

On the Jaguars’ return flight back to Jacksonville, Doe II avoided seeing McManus again by working on the second floor of the plane. Both women were removed from working the team’s chartered flights after the incident.

The lawsuit states that the women had not previously worked the team’s chartered flights but that they’d worked hard to attain the positions. They are now claiming “severe mental anguish, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation.”

Due to the team’s lack of interference in the incident, the women are also accusing the Jaguars of failing to train McManus about inappropriate and sexual contact with flight staff, failing to supervise him on the flight, failing to adopt policies and procedures to protect flight staff from sexual misconduct by its employees, and failing to enforce a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behavior.

Doe I and Doe II are seeking $1 million in damages and they intend to proceed to a jury trial.

McManus’ tenure with the Jaguars lasted just one season. He previously served as the Denver Broncos kicker for nine seasons and he is now heading into his first year with Washington after signing a one-year deal for $3.6 million.

So far, no statement has emerged from the McManus camp regarding the allegations and subsequent lawsuit, however, a source told ESPN that one would likely be released on Monday. A Jaguars spokesperson declined to give a comment to the outlet.

“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.”