Two women have filed a lawsuit against NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars accusing the athlete of sexually assaulting them on a team flight to London last year.
The women, who worked as flight attendants for Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, allege McManus rubbed himself on them and tried to kiss one of them while they were operating a team-chartered flight from Florida to England on September 28.
McManus was a kicker for the Jaguars at the time, although he is now with the Washington Commanders.
The civil suit filed in Duval County, Florida, seeks damages in excess of $1 million. A lawyer for McManus called the allegations “demonstrably false” and said the athlete would fight to clear his name “by showing what these claims really are – an attempted extortion.”
The Jacksonville 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 News affiliate WTLV of Jacksonville.
Party on a flight, unwanted grabbing
The flight to London became a celebration for McManus and several of his teammates, according to the complaint. The athlete recruited three flight attendants (who are no longer employed by Atlas Air) to join the party, “handing out $100 bills to encourage them to drink and dance inappropriately in front of him,” according to the indictment.
The accusers — identified only as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II — said they did not participate in the party.
McManus allegedly “repeatedly targeted Jane Doe I,” apparently because she did not want to participate, the filing said.
He targeted her as she was strapped into her jump seat after the pilot indicated that the turbulence required seat belts for everyone on board, the complaint said. She felt “uncomfortable” with McManus’ presence, and he “leaned in to kiss Jane Doe I,” according to the complaint.
She raised her hand and told him to leave, and he relented, the complaint said. He allegedly continued to search for her and grabbed her twice and rubbed against her so she could feel his erection, the complaint said.
She said in the lawsuit that the alleged incident occurred while she was serving the flight’s meal to other passengers.
She froze and made eye contact with “another Jaguars player, who was embarrassed by his teammate’s behavior,” according to the complaint.
The second alleged incident happened later when he came up behind her, “firmly grabbed her by the waist and rubbed his clothed but erect penis on her several times,” the suit said.
“Both incidents were unprovoked, unwanted and objectionable,” the filing said.
The lawsuit accuses McManus of behaving similarly toward a second woman when she served the second meal of the flight.
The woman could not leave because she was in the galley aisle and had a full tray with her, the suit said.
The woman turned around and confronted McManus, but “he just grinned and walked away,” according to the complaint, leaving her “humiliated and embarrassed.”
“The sexual misconduct occurred in the presence of the plaintiffs’ professional colleagues and in the presence of high-profile clients. “Plaintiffs felt deeply concerned, embarrassed, and terrified that their careers were in jeopardy,” the complaint said.
McManus’ alleged behavior left the women with “severe mental anguish and career disruption,” including fear and suspicion when interacting with male clients on the job, the filing said. Both women were removed from the “core crew” that mans the Jaguars flights — “something both plaintiffs worked hard to achieve,” the lawsuit said.
It was their first and last flight with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the filing said.
The lawsuit alleges assault and battery by McManus, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and gross negligence by the Jaguars by failing to “enforce a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behavior” and failing to provide a safe environment for the staff who serve them.
The women are seeking a jury trial.
Lawyer calls accusations ‘a campaign to shame’
An attorney for McManus, Brett R. Gallaway, denied the women’s claims.
“To be clear, 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 in a statement. “We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name.”
The Washington Commanders said in a statement on Monday that they had been informed of the charges filed on May 24.
“We take these types of allegations very seriously and are investigating the matter. “We have been in contact with the League Office and Brandon’s representation and will withhold further comment at this time,” the team said.
Tony Buzbee, an attorney representing the two women, said on Instagram that the women and their attorneys tried to resolve the case “without the need for a lawsuit” prior to filing the lawsuit, but “our efforts to reach a solution were met with arrogance, ignorance and stupidity.”
“The allegations in this lawsuit are very serious. We made sure we fully vetted them and spoke to witnesses before taking the cases,” he said. “We will pursue this case with the same tenacity we are known for…These women were just trying to do their job!”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
