Brandon McManus: NFL kicker accused of sexually assaulting 2 flight attendants during team flight last season

CNN
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Two women accused NFL kicker Brandon McManus of sexually assaulting them while he was on a team flight to London last September for the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a new lawsuit.

The women, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 in the lawsuit, worked as flight attendants on the flight chartered by the Jaguars team on September 28. Both women claim that during meal service on the flight, McManus “crushed” her erect body. penis against them. McManus also attempted to kiss Jane Doe 1 earlier during the robbery, according to the lawsuit.

McManus, who has since signed a contract to join the Washington Commanders, denies the allegations presented in the lawsuit. A lawyer for McManus disputes the women’s accounts.

“To be clear, these are absolutely fictitious and blatantly false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and denigrate a talented and respected NFL player,” said McManus’ attorney Brett R. Gallaway, at CNN. “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 Jaguars team is also named in the lawsuit – accused of “gross negligence” in, among other allegations, its failure to create a safe working environment for the flight crew. The team did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Head coach Doug Pederson said in a news conference Tuesday that he couldn’t comment “until more information is gathered.”

A spokesperson for the Commanders, McManus’ current team, said: “On Monday we were informed of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. 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.

NFL spokesman Tim Schlittner told CNN the league was aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment further.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the two flight attendants, said in a statement on social media that the women and their legal team attempted to “resolve this matter without resorting to litigation” before filing suit. in justice.

“Our resolution efforts have been met with arrogance, ignorance and stupidity,” the lawyer said.

The women say they have suffered and will continue to experience psychological and emotional distress as a result of McManus’ alleged actions. They are seeking more than $1 million in damages against the NFL player and the Jaguars and have demanded a jury trial.

“The allegations made in this lawsuit are very serious,” Buzbee said. “We made sure to review them thoroughly and talk to witnesses before even taking on the cases. We will pursue this matter with the same tenacity for which we are renowned. It’s a shame that this type of behavior still happens. This happens too often. »