Content warning: This story includes descriptions of alleged sexual assault.
Former Jacksonville kicker Brandon McManus and the Jaguars are facing suit in Duval County Circuit Civil Court on accusations of sexual assault committed by McManus and gross negligence by the team amid the incident, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.
Two women, flight attendants identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II in the suit, which was filed Friday, allege McManus of groping them multiple times during the Jaguars’ Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings charter flight to London on Sept. 28, 2023. Doe I claims that McManus tried to kiss her while the plane experienced turbulence and she was seated.
The lawsuit alleges McManus offered money to three other flight attendants to drink and dance inappropriately in what was described as a party-like atmosphere on the flight.
Doe I and Doe II are stated to have experienced “severe mental anguish, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation” in the aftermath of McManus’ alleged conduct. Both have been removed from the Jaguars’ core charter flight staff crew.
The Jaguars are being sued for “failing to properly hire McManus, train him about inappropriate and sexual contact with flight staff, supervise him on the flight, adopt policies and procedures to protect flight staff from sexual misconduct by its employees, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behavior,” per DiRocco’s reporting.
The women seek more than $1 million and have demanded a jury trial.
The Jaguars declined comment to ESPN through a team spokesperson. McManus or his attorney are expected to release a statement later Monday, per DiRocco.
McManus, 32, signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Jaguars in May 2023 and was not retained by the club this offseason. He went 30-of-37 on field goal attempts and 35-of-35 on extra point attempts over 17 games with Jacksonville.
McManus signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with Washington this past March.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.