Judge dismisses sexual assault lawsuit against former NFL player Brandon McManus and the Jaguars for now

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A district judge in Florida has dismissed two women's lawsuit against former NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The suit accused McManus of sexually harassing them on the team's overseas flight to London in 2023.

Judge Michael S. Sharrit granted the motion to dismiss, writing in his order that the case did not meet the “extraordinary” criteria needed for the women to remain anonymous. The women used the pseudonyms “Jane Doe I” and “Jane Doe II” in the lawsuit.

“Fairness requires that plaintiffs be willing to publicly stand behind their allegations, just as defendant McManus must openly refute them,” Sharrit wrote.

The women have 10 days to file an amended complaint under their real names. Their lawyer said they would do so.

“Most defendants in sexual assault cases file these types of motions with the belief that victims will not go forward if they are forced to publicly reveal their names,” attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement. “We have been anticipating this ruling. To be clear, these women have no intention of running away and hiding and will immediately comply with the court's order. We look forward to continuing to prosecute this important case.”

McManus' lawyer Brett Gallaway called the allegations “baseless.”

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

The Washington Commanders released McManus a few days after the lawsuit was filed in May.

The two women worked as flight attendants on Jacksonville's charter flight to London last September and accused McManus of kissing one of them and rubbing himself against both of them while they tried to work. They are seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The lawsuit says the trip “quickly turned into a party” because McManus and others involved disregarded the flight attendants' privacy, flight safety and federal law. The women said McManus handed out $100 bills to encourage them and other flight attendants to drink and dance inappropriately.