Sexual assault lawsuit against Brandon McManus dismissed, plaintiffs can refile: Reports

A Florida judge has reportedly dismissed a lawsuit filed by two women against free agent kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars that alleged McManus sexually assaulted them on a team flight last year.

U.S. District Judge Michael S. Sharrit ruled that under Florida law, the women’s use of pseudonyms in the lawsuit did not meet the “exceptional case” criteria for filing the case anonymously, ESPN reported.

“Justice requires that plaintiffs be prepared to publicly defend their allegations in the same manner that defendant McManus must publicly rebut them,” Sharrit wrote in his ruling, according to ESPN.

An attorney representing the two women — named Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II in the lawsuit — said they plan to file an amended complaint using their first and last names, according to multiple reports. The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can file it again, and they have 10 days to do so, the reports said.

“Most defendants in sexual assault cases file these types of motions thinking that victims won’t act if they have to publicly name their victims,” Tony Buzbee, a lawyer for two of the women in the case, told multiple outlets. “We expected 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.”

The women filed the lawsuit in May in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, alleging that McManus rubbed shoulders with them while they were serving the team on an international charter flight to London in September 2023, according to the lawsuit. Two of the women worked as flight attendants and alleged that McManus handed out $100 bills to encourage three flight attendants — excluding Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II — to drink and dance for him, according to the lawsuit. They also alleged that the Jaguars failed to supervise McManus and create a safe environment for staff on the plane, the lawsuit said.

The plaintiffs sought more than $1 million in damages and a jury trial.

“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 to multiple media outlets Tuesday. “We look forward to having him back on the NFL field as soon as possible.”

McManus, 33, signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Washington Commanders in March and was released in June, a little more than a week after the lawsuit was filed. He spent one season with the Jaguars after the Denver Broncos released him after nine seasons.

(Photo: James Gilbert / Getty Images)