The Washington Commanders made the decision to release kicker Brandon McManus following a lawsuit that was filed against him, accusing him of sexual assault during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team had signed McManus to a one-year, $3.6 million deal prior to this incident and chose not to re-sign Joey Slye. This move came after ESPN reported the lawsuit, prompting the Commanders to take the necessary steps to address the situation and ensure they were handling it appropriately.
In the lawsuit, two women identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II accused McManus of sexual assault during a Jaguars charter flight to London. The women claim that McManus rubbed himself against them and engaged in inappropriate behavior, while also accusing the Jaguars organization of failing to supervise him. McManus, through his attorney, denied the allegations and stated that they were false, backed by evidence that contradicted the accusers’ statements.
The lawsuit seeks in excess of $1 million in damages and demands a jury trial to address the allegations of sexual assault. Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the two women, highlighted the seriousness of the case and the efforts made to verify the claims before taking legal action. The situation has placed McManus’ career in jeopardy, as he faces a legal battle to clear his name and reputation.
The release of McManus by the Washington Commanders reflects the team’s commitment to addressing allegations of misconduct seriously. This move comes in the context of a league that has faced significant scrutiny over its handling of similar cases in the past. The NFL has been under pressure to improve its response to allegations of sexual assault and harassment, with teams now facing consequences for failing to address such issues effectively.
As the legal battle unfolds, both McManus and the two women involved will be navigating a complex legal process to determine the truth behind the allegations of sexual assault. The outcome of this case will have implications for the individuals involved, as well as setting a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future. It remains to be seen how this situation will impact the Washington Commanders and the broader NFL community moving forward.