The NFL determined there was not sufficient evidence to suspend former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, said a league source, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
McManus, a current free agent who was accused by two women of sexual assault while on a team flight with the Jaguars last year, will not face discipline from the league and can sign with any team.
Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communications, told ESPN that the investigation included interviews with more than 30 people. He said new evidence would be “taken into consideration” if presented. Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the two women, told ESPN that the NFL has not yet spoken to his clients.
Buzbee and Brett Gallaway, the attorney for McManus, did not immediately respond to reqeusts for comment from The Athletic.
On Sept. 3, a Florida judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the two women against McManus and the Jaguars, ruling that, under Florida law, the women’s use of pseudonyms in the suit did not meet the “exceptional case” criteria for bringing the case anonymously. The women were initially named “Jane Doe I” and “Jane Doe II” in the lawsuit.
They refiled the lawsuit on Sept. 6 using their names, according to the Associated Press.
The women filed the initial lawsuit in May, alleging McManus rubbed against them while they served the team on an international charter flight to London in September 2023. The two women worked as flight attendants and alleged that McManus passed out $100 bills to encourage three flight attendants — not including the two women — to drink and dance for him, according to the lawsuit. They also alleged the Jaguars failed to supervise McManus and create a safe environment for staff on the flight, the suit said.
The women are seeking a jury trial and damages of more than $1 million.
The Washington Commanders released McManus in June, shortly after the lawsuit was filed. He signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the team in March. He spent one season with the Jaguars after the Denver Broncos released him following nine seasons.
(Photo: James Gilbert / Getty Images)
