The Washington Commanders have released veteran kicker Brandon McManus amid sexual assault allegations from two women during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. McManus, who was expected to be the Commanders’ starting kicker this season, is now without a team as the voluntary practice sessions continue. The allegations stem from a lawsuit filed by two flight attendants who claim McManus sexually assaulted them on a flight to London while he was with the Jaguars. The women alleged that McManus rubbed and grinded against them during the flight and threw $100 bills at them in exchange for inappropriate dancing as the flight turned into a party.
The lawsuit also states that McManus attempted to kiss one of the women while on the flight. Both women claim to have suffered severe mental anguish, anxiety, psychological and emotional distress, embarrassment, and humiliation as a result of the alleged assaults. The women are also suing the Jaguars, claiming that the team did not supervise McManus or create a safe environment for them during the flight. The lawsuit describes one of the women confronting McManus, only for him to smirk and walk away, while another Jaguars teammate appeared ashamed of McManus’s behavior when making eye contact with the women during the incident.
In response to the lawsuit, both the Jaguars and the Commanders released statements acknowledging the seriousness of the claims and affirming their commitment to organizations built on character and class. McManus’s attorney vehemently denied the allegations, calling them fictitious and false, and accusing the women of attempting to defame and disparage the NFL player. The attorney stated that they intend to aggressively defend McManus’s rights and integrity and clear his name from what they believe to be an extortion attempt. McManus, who has a Super Bowl win with the Denver Broncos during his nine seasons there, joined the Jaguars in 2023 and completed 30 of 37 field goal attempts during his time with the team.
Moving forward, the Commanders will continue their practices without a kicker on their roster following McManus’s release. Despite the serious nature of the allegations and the legal proceedings surrounding the case, the Commanders have not provided further comment at this time. It remains to be seen what actions the NFL may take in response to the allegations, as they continue to investigate the matter alongside the representatives of both McManus and the women involved in the lawsuit. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring accountability, justice, and respect for all parties involved, while upholding the values of integrity and character within the NFL and its member teams.
