Judge provisionally dismisses sexual abuse lawsuit against former NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — A Florida judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by two women against former NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who accused McManus of sexually assaulting them during the team’s flight to London in 2023.

Judge Michael S. Sharrit granted a motion to dismiss, writing in his order that the case does not meet the “exceptional” criteria required for the women’s anonymity. The women used pseudonyms “Jane Doe I” and “Jane Doe II” in the lawsuit.

“It is fair to expect that plaintiffs will be willing to publicly stand behind their allegations, in the same manner that defendant McManus must publicly refute them,” Sharrit wrote.

The women have 10 days to file an amended complaint, including their legal names, which their attorney has said they will do.

“Most defendants in sexual assault cases file these types of motions thinking that the victims will not move forward if they have to make their names public,” attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement. “We expected this ruling. To be clear, these women have no intention of running and hiding and will comply with the court’s order in a timely manner. We look forward to continuing to pursue this important case.”

McManus’ attorney, Brett Gallaway, called the allegations “baseless.”

“We look forward to him returning to the NFL field as soon as possible,” Gallaway said.

Washington’s commanders released McManus a few days after the trial began in May.

The women, who worked as flight attendants on the charter flight from Jacksonville to London last September, accused McManus of trying to kiss one of them and grinding and rubbing against both of them while they were trying to work. They are seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The lawsuit alleged that the trip “quickly turned into a party” because McManus and other players disregarded the flight attendants’ personal space, air travel safety and federal law. The women said McManus handed out $100 bills to encourage them and other flight attendants to drink and dance inappropriately.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl