The Washington Commanders launched kicker Brandon McManus, days after a lawsuit that was filed towards him turned public alleging sexual assault from an incident that occurred when he was a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the group introduced Sunday.
Washington had signed McManus to a one-year, $3.6 million deal this offseason, opting to not re-sign Joey Slye. On Monday, the day ESPN reported the lawsuit, a Commanders spokesperson mentioned the group was conscious of the scenario and was in touch with the NFL in addition to McManus’ illustration.
“We take allegations of this nature very severely,” the Commanders mentioned in an announcement.
Underneath earlier proprietor Dan Snyder, Washington was the topic of a number of investigations stemming from a poisonous office tradition that included allegations of sexual harassment. The NFL ultimately fined the group $10 million. Snyder was accused of sexual misconduct by a former group worker and was fined $60 million after a 17-month lengthy inquiry by legal professional Mary Jo White. Her findings backed claims that the Commanders hid income that was purported to be shared with different groups. White additionally substantiated claims that Snyder had sexually harassed former worker Tiffani Johnston.
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Snyder offered the group to a bunch led by Josh Harris in July 2023.
Within the lawsuit filed towards McManus and the Jaguars, two girls allege he sexually assaulted them throughout Jacksonville’s abroad flight to London final 12 months, in accordance with court docket paperwork obtained by ESPN.
McManus, by his legal professional Brett R. Gallaway, launched an announcement Sunday evening, ensuring to first “thank the Washington Commanders for the chance to be part of the group.
“Nonetheless, we reiterate that the allegations towards Brandon are and stay completely false and importantly, are contradicted by indeniable proof and the accusers’ personal prior inconsistent statements and omissions. Whereas we’re upset with the group’s determination to launch Brandon earlier than he had the chance to defend towards these fabricated claims, we’ll aggressively defend and clear Brandon’s identify and status by the authorized course of. We intend to defeat these claims, absolutely exonerate him and look ahead to seeing him again on the sector the place he belongs.”
The ladies — recognized as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II within the lawsuit filed Could 24 in Duval County Circuit Civil Court docket — accuse McManus of rubbing himself towards them and grinding towards them. Additionally they accuse the Jaguars of failing to oversee McManus and failing to create a secure atmosphere for workers serving the group.
The lawsuit says the September flight was the primary Jaguars constitution the 2 girls labored, and that they’ve skilled extreme psychological anguish, nervousness, psychological and emotional misery, embarrassment and humiliation. They’ve been faraway from the core crew that staffs Jaguars constitution flights, one thing they labored onerous to realize, in accordance with the lawsuit.
They’re in search of in extra of $1 million and are demanding a jury trial. In an announcement final week, Gallaway referred to as the claims “completely fictitious” and “demonstrably false allegations.” Gallaway additionally labeled the case an “extortion try.”
Lawyer Tony Buzbee, who’s representing the 2 girls, mentioned on Instagram that “earlier than that submitting we tried, with out success, to resolve this matter with out the necessity for litigation. Our efforts at decision had been met with conceitedness, ignorance and stupidity, strikingly much like how Deshaun Watson’s group responded once we tried to resolve these circumstances pre-filing. The allegations made on this lawsuit are very severe. We made positive to completely vet them and converse to witnesses earlier than even taking the circumstances. We are going to pursue this case with the identical tenacity we’re identified for. It is a disgrace that this sort of conduct nonetheless happens. It occurs far too usually. These girls had been merely attempting to do their jobs!”
In his first 10 seasons — 9 of which had been spent with Denver — McManus made 81.4% of his discipline aim makes an attempt and 97.2% of his additional factors. In 2023 with Jacksonville, he was 30-of-37 on discipline targets and made all 35 of his additional level tries.
ESPN Senior Author Adam Schefter and ESPN Workers Author Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.
