The Washington Commanders launched kicker Brandon McManus, the NFL crew introduced on Sunday, days after the submitting of a lawsuit during which two girls accused him of sexually assaulting them on 2023 flight when he was a member of a unique crew.
The Commanders’ quick on-line announcement about McManus’ launch didn’t say why the crew dropped him. CNN has sought remark from McManus’ illustration.
McManus, who’s from Hatfield, Pennsylvania, beforehand attended highschool in Lansdale, Pa. earlier than taking part in at Temple College.
In a lawsuit filed late final month in Florida’s Duval County, two girls accused McManus, 32, of sexually assaulting them on a Jacksonville Jaguars team-charted flight to London on September 28, whereas McManus was a member of the Jaguars. The ladies have been flight attendants on that flight, the lawsuit says.
Each girls declare that in meal service on the flight, McManus “grinded” his erect clothed penis in opposition to them. McManus additionally tried to kiss one of many girls earlier on the flight, in keeping with the lawsuit.
McManus, who signed a contract to hitch the Commanders this offseason, denied the allegations.
“To be clear, these are completely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as a part of a marketing campaign to defame and disparage a gifted and well-respected NFL participant,” McManus’ lawyer, Brett R. Gallaway, instructed CNN final week. “We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his title by displaying what these claims really are – an extortion try.”
The Jaguars group, which additionally was named within the lawsuit, stated in a launch to CNN on Wednesday: “We’re conscious of the grievance, and we acknowledge the importance of the claims.
“As we proceed to look into the matter, it bears emphasizing that we insist on a corporation constructed by individuals who signify our group and recreation with the very best character and sophistication.”
Jacksonville is accused of “gross negligence” in, amongst different allegations, its failure to create a protected work atmosphere for the flight employees.
The Commanders have been made conscious of the civil lawsuit on Could 27, and have been taking the allegations significantly and have been “trying into the matter,” a Commanders spokesperson stated Tuesday.
Lawyer Tony Buzbee, who represents the 2 flight attendants, stated on social media final week that the ladies and their authorized crew tried to “resolve this matter with out the necessity for litigation” previous to submitting the lawsuit.
“Our efforts at decision have been met with conceitedness, ignorance and stupidity,” the lawyer stated.
The ladies are in search of greater than $1 million in damages in opposition to the NFL participant and the Jaguars, and have demanded a jury trial.
“The allegations made on this lawsuit are very severe,” Buzbee stated. “We made positive to totally vet them and converse to witnesses earlier than even taking the circumstances. We’ll pursue this case with the identical tenacity we’re identified for. It is a disgrace that such a conduct nonetheless happens. It occurs far too usually.”
The Jaguars had flown to the London space to play two video games there in October.
After taking part in for Temple College from 2009 to 2012, he went on to spend 9 seasons with the Denver Broncos, the place he gained a Tremendous Bowl in 2016 earlier than his lone season in Jacksonville.
McManus signed with the Jaguars on Could 5, 2023, after he was launched by the Denver Broncos. The Jaguars gave him a one-year contract price $2 million, and he made 30 of 37 area purpose makes an attempt and all 35 of his additional level makes an attempt final season.
WPVI contributed to this report.
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