NFL Kicker Brandon McManus Faces Sexual Assault Lawsuit That Ended His Career, Then Mysteriously Settled
The Brandon McManus lawsuit rocked professional sports in 2024 when two flight attendants accused the veteran NFL kicker of sexual assault on a team flight to London. The case, which led to his release from the Washington Commanders and months of unemployment, was quietly settled in October 2024 after the NFL found insufficient evidence to discipline him—but never interviewed the alleged victims.
What Happened on the Jacksonville Jaguars Flight?
Two flight attendants working an Atlas Air charter flight from Florida to London on September 28, 2023, alleged the flight quickly turned into a party with McManus and several Jaguars players disregarding their personal space and safety.
The women, later identified as Daisy Torres and Nicole Anderson, claimed McManus:
- Passed out $100 bills to encourage flight attendants to drink and dance inappropriately for him
- Attempted to kiss one attendant while she was seated during turbulence
- Grinded his erect clothed penis against both women during meal service
- Smirked and walked away when confronted
The allegations paint a disturbing picture of workplace harassment at 30,000 feet, where employees had nowhere to escape.
The Legal Claims: What the Plaintiffs Sought
The lawsuit, filed in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, sought more than $1 million in damages and named both McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars as defendants.
Claims Against McManus:
- Sexual assault and battery
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Unwanted physical contact during work duties
Claims Against the Jaguars:
- Gross negligence for failing to properly hire, train, and supervise McManus
- Failure to adopt policies protecting flight staff from sexual misconduct
- Failure to enforce zero-tolerance policies regarding inappropriate behavior
The organizational liability claims are particularly significant—they suggest teams can be held responsible when they create unsafe work environments or fail to supervise employees properly.
The Dismissal, Refiling, and Public Identification
In September 2024, Judge Michael S. Sharrit dismissed the initial lawsuit because the two women used pseudonyms “Jane Doe I” and “Jane Doe II,” ruling this didn’t meet Florida’s “exceptional case” criteria for anonymity.
The judge stated that “fairness requires Plaintiffs be prepared to stand behind their charges publicly in the same way Defendant McManus must openly refute them”.
Three days later, the women refiled with their real names. Their attorney Tony Buzbee stated: “Most defendants in sexual assault cases file these types of motions thinking that the victims won’t proceed if they have to publicly reveal their names. We anticipated this ruling. To be clear, these women have no intention to run and hide”.
This procedural battle highlights a crucial tension in sexual assault litigation: balancing victim privacy against defendants’ rights to confront accusers.
NFL Investigation: Why Didn’t They Interview the Victims?
On September 30, 2024, the NFL concluded its investigation and determined there was “insufficient evidence” that McManus violated the personal conduct policy. The investigation included interviews with 30 people.
But here’s the shocking part: Attorney Tony Buzbee told media that the league had not interviewed the plaintiffs.
How can an investigation be thorough without hearing from the alleged victims? This raises serious questions about the NFL’s commitment to addressing sexual misconduct claims versus protecting player availability.
The Mysterious Settlement and McManus’s Return
In October 2024, both McManus and the plaintiffs’ attorneys confirmed the case was “resolved,” though neither disclosed settlement terms.
The settlement likely included confidentiality clauses, preventing the plaintiffs from cooperating with any future NFL investigations—similar to the Deshaun Watson case handled by the same attorney.
Days after the settlement, the Green Bay Packers signed McManus, with General Manager Brian Gutekunst stating McManus wouldn’t have been available if not for the case being resolved.
Understanding Civil Sexual Assault Claims
Burden of Proof: Unlike criminal cases requiring proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” civil cases only need a “preponderance of evidence”—meaning it’s more likely than not the assault occurred.
Types of Damages Available:
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, lost wages, medical expenses
- Punitive damages to punish egregious conduct
- Lost career opportunities (the women claimed they were removed from the Jaguars flight crew)
Why Settle? Civil sexual assault cases often settle because:
- Trial outcomes are unpredictable
- Public testimony can be retraumatizing for victims
- Defendants want to avoid reputation damage
- Confidential settlements prevent evidence from becoming public
Organizational Liability: When Teams Can Be Sued
The Jaguars faced liability under several legal theories:
Negligent Hiring and Supervision: Employers have a duty to properly vet employees and supervise them to prevent harm to others.
Failure to Train: Organizations must educate employees about appropriate workplace conduct, especially regarding sexual harassment.
Creation of Unsafe Environment: The lawsuit accused the Jaguars of ignoring NFL rules regarding alcohol on team flights and telling flight attendants to ignore FAA rules.
This case demonstrates that professional sports teams can’t simply claim “he did it on his own time”—they can be held accountable for creating conditions that enable misconduct.
What Made This Case Different: The Flight Attendant Angle
Most NFL sexual misconduct cases involve off-field incidents. This case was unique because:
- Captive workplace environment: Flight attendants couldn’t leave or refuse to serve McManus
- Power imbalance: Service workers facing wealthy, high-profile athletes
- Organizational control: The Jaguars chartered the flight and had responsibility for conduct aboard
- Multiple corroborating witnesses: One plaintiff claimed another Jaguars player made eye contact with her and looked ashamed at McManus’s behavior
The flight attendants had previously complained to their employer, Atlas Air, about the situation, suggesting they took immediate action rather than fabricating claims later.
Career Consequences and the Cost of Allegations
The Washington Commanders released McManus in June 2024, just days after the lawsuit became public. He spent four months unemployed during the NFL season—a career crisis for a 33-year-old specialist.
McManus went from a $3.6 million contract to unemployment to finally signing with Green Bay as a free agent at a reduced rate. Even without criminal charges or NFL discipline, the mere accusation cost him millions.
The Deshaun Watson Connection
Attorney Tony Buzbee also represented two dozen women who sued Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for sexual assault. That case followed a similar pattern:
- Civil lawsuit filed
- NFL conducted investigation
- Watson settled cases with confidentiality agreements
- NFL suspended him 11 games despite settlements
The difference? Watson faced far more accusers and received NFL discipline. McManus faced two accusers, settled quickly, and received no league punishment.
Legal Defenses in Sexual Assault Civil Cases
McManus’s attorney, Brett Gallaway, called the allegations “absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false” and characterized them as “a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player.”
Common defense strategies include:
- Consent defense: Claiming any contact was consensual (unlikely here given workplace context)
- Mistaken identity: Wrong person accused
- Fabrication for financial gain: Suggesting plaintiffs seek money
- Character evidence: Gallaway filed a request for admissions claiming the women made sexually explicit social media posts, used racial slurs, had previous relationships with NFL players, and had substance abuse issues
These defense tactics often aim to discredit accusers rather than disprove the underlying conduct.
What This Case Means for Future Athlete Misconduct Litigation
Increased Employer Accountability: Teams face greater exposure when they fail to establish clear conduct policies or supervise employees properly.
Workplace Power Dynamics: Service workers can successfully sue athletes and teams when misconduct occurs in employment contexts.
Settlement Culture: Confidential settlements prevent public accountability but offer victims compensation without trial trauma.
NFL’s Investigation Gap: Without subpoena power, the league can’t compel testimony, making investigations dependent on voluntary cooperation.
Could Criminal Charges Still Be Filed?
While this was a civil case, criminal sexual assault charges remain theoretically possible. However:
- Statute of limitations varies by jurisdiction (likely Florida or international jurisdiction)
- Criminal cases require higher proof standards
- Settlements with confidentiality clauses complicate witness cooperation
- Over a year has passed since the alleged incident
Given the settlement and time elapsed, criminal prosecution seems unlikely.
The Broader Context: Sexual Misconduct in Professional Sports
The McManus case fits a disturbing pattern in professional sports where:
- Power imbalances enable misconduct
- Organizational cultures prioritize winning over accountability
- Civil settlements shield perpetrators from full consequences
- Victims face credibility attacks and public scrutiny
Recent high-profile cases involving Watson, former Washington Football Team executives, and numerous college athletic programs demonstrate this remains a systemic issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the specific allegations against Brandon McManus?
Two flight attendants alleged McManus grinded his erect clothed penis against them during meal service on a September 2023 charter flight to London. One also claimed he tried to kiss her during turbulence and that McManus passed out $100 bills encouraging flight attendants to drink and dance inappropriately.
Why was the Brandon McManus lawsuit dismissed the first time?
Florida Judge Michael S. Sharrit dismissed the initial lawsuit because the plaintiffs used pseudonyms, ruling their case didn’t meet “exceptional case” criteria for anonymity under Florida law. The women then refiled using their real names.
Did Brandon McManus face criminal charges?
No criminal charges were filed. This was entirely a civil lawsuit seeking monetary damages. The difference matters because civil cases require lower proof standards than criminal cases.
How much did the Brandon McManus lawsuit settle for?
Settlement terms were not disclosed, as both parties confirmed the case was “resolved” without revealing financial details. Based on similar cases and the initial demand exceeding $1 million, the settlement likely involved substantial payment.
Why didn’t the NFL discipline Brandon McManus?
The NFL’s investigation found “insufficient evidence” that McManus violated the personal conduct policy. However, the plaintiffs’ attorney stated the league never interviewed his clients before reaching this conclusion.
Can NFL teams be sued for player misconduct?
Yes, under theories of negligent supervision, failure to train, and creating unsafe environments. The Jaguars faced claims they failed to properly hire, train, and supervise McManus and didn’t enforce zero-tolerance policies.
Is Brandon McManus still playing in the NFL?
Yes, McManus signed with the Green Bay Packers in October 2024 after the case was resolved. He spent several months unemployed after the Commanders released him when the lawsuit became public.
Key Takeaways
The Brandon McManus lawsuit reveals critical gaps in how professional sports organizations handle sexual misconduct allegations. While the case settled without admission of liability, it cost McManus months of employment and millions in potential earnings.
For victims, the case shows both the power and limitations of civil litigation—they can seek justice and compensation, but face invasive scrutiny and often settle with confidentiality clauses that prevent full public accountability.
For teams, it’s a reminder that organizational responsibility extends beyond the playing field. Failing to supervise players, especially in workplace settings involving service workers, creates substantial legal exposure.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is based on publicly available court documents and news reports. If you are facing similar legal issues, consult with a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction. Sexual assault allegations are serious matters, and this article aims to inform readers about legal processes without making judgments about the parties involved.
Need Legal Help? If you’ve experienced workplace harassment or sexual assault, particularly in employment contexts involving professional athletes or entertainment industries, consult an experienced employment discrimination attorney or sexual assault attorney who can evaluate your specific situation.
For more information on civil litigation processes, see our guides on employment lawyer costs and wrongful termination claims.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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