The NFL’s Washington Commanders said Sunday they have released kicker Brandon McManus.
The move, announced on the ssocial media platformcame without a stated reason or any background.
McManus is facing a civil suit from two women who claim he rubbed himself on them and tried to kiss one of them while they worked as a flight attendant on a team-chartered flight last year, when he was still playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Commanders said last week that the team is “investigating the matter.”
When asked Sunday whether his release was related to the sexual misconduct allegations, Commander spokesman Sean DeBarbieri said by email: “We have nothing to add other than our roster change, which stated we had Brandon McManus removed from the team released.”
The court in Duval County, Florida, is seeking more than $1 million in damages and names as defendants McManus and the Jaguars, his team at the time of the alleged September 28 incident during an Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings flight from Florida to England.
The Jaguars have said they are aware of the claims and are investigating. “It must be emphasized that we insist on an organization built by people who represent our community and game with the highest character and class,” the team said in a statement to NBC affiliate WTLV of Jacksonville.
An attorney for McManus, Brett R. Gallaway, responded to the lawsuit last week in a statement calling the allegations “demonstrably false.” Gallaway said the lawsuit amounted to “an attempted extortion.”
He did not immediately respond Sunday to a request for comment about his client’s release by Commanders.
The lawsuit alleges that McManus recruited flight crew members to join him and some teammates for an impromptu in-flight party during which other attendants “inappropriately drank and danced.” The two women who filed the charges did not participate, it said.
McManus repeatedly targeted one of the two women, “apparently because she did not want to participate” in the festivities, the filing said. He tried to kiss her and later grabbed her and rubbed against her so she could feel his erection, the document said.
He also grabbed and rubbed himself against the second accuser as she served meals on board, the complaint alleges.
According to the filing, the women suffered mental anguish and “career interruption” as a result of his alleged actions.
The lawsuit alleges assault and battery by McManus, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and gross negligence by the Jaguars. It is alleged that the team has failed to “enforce a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behavior” and has failed to maintain a safe environment for the employees who serve the team.
Prosecutors want a jury trial.
Gallaway, McManus’ attorney, said in his statement last week that the claims are false.
“These are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and discredit a talented and respected NFL player,” he said.
McManus’ release leaves the Commanders untroubled for the time being. McManus, who turns 33 in July, started his NFL career with the Denver Broncos in 2014. The Commanders signed him in March.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
