NFL News: Judge: Accusers of former Jags K Brandon McManus must drop nicknames

A Florida district court judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit alleging that former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus sexually assaulted two women on a team flight last year.

However, McManus’ accusers plan to refile their case, this time without using the aliases Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, their attorney told ESPN.

According to court documents obtained by multiple sources, Judge Michael S. Sharrit granted the motion to dismiss the lawsuit because under Florida law, anonymous filings “should be reserved for exceptional circumstances that outweigh the public interest in an open proceeding.” Sharrit also said that “fairness requires” that the plaintiffs “publicly defend their allegations in the same manner that Defendant McManus must openly rebut them.”

The judge ruled the women have 10 days to amend the lawsuit using their own names. Attorney Tony Buzbee told ESPN they plan to do just that.

“Most sexual assault defendants file these types of motions thinking that victims will not act if they have to publicly name each other,” Buzbee said in a statement to ESPN. “We anticipated this ruling. To be clear, these women have no intention of running away and hiding, and they will comply with the court’s order when the time comes. We look forward to continuing this important case.”

“We are very pleased with the court’s order regarding Mr. McManus’ motion to dismiss these baseless allegations,” McManus’ attorney, Brett Gallaway, said in a statement. “We look forward to him returning to the NFL field as soon as possible.”

McManus is accused of rubbing and grinding against two women who were manning the team’s flight to London for a game during the 2023 season. Jane Doe I said McManus tried to kiss her, and Jane Doe II said McManus “smiled and walked away” after she confronted him about rubbing against her.

The Jaguars are also named in the lawsuit, as the women say the team failed to provide them with safe working conditions on board the plane.

The lawsuit was filed in May after McManus signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Washington Commanders. The Commanders soon released him, though it was later reported that the team paid him his full signing bonus.

McManus, 33, spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos before joining Jacksonville in 2023. He is currently unsigned for the upcoming season.

-Field level media