The Washington Commanders announced on Sunday that they released kicker Brandon McManus.
Last week, two women filed a civil suit against McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars in which they accused the 32-year-old of sexually assaulting them during a team flight to London last year.
Per Marlene Lenthang, Austin Mullen and Courtney Brogle of NBC News, the women alleged in the lawsuit that McManus “rubbed himself on them and tried to kiss one of them while they worked a team-chartered flight from Florida to England on Sept. 28.”
The Commanders said in a statement earlier in the week that they were aware of the suit.
“We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time,” the team said at the time.
McManus played all 17 games of the 2023 season with the Jaguars after spending the first nine years of his career with the Denver Broncos. He signed a one-year deal with the Commanders in March.
The civil suit, which was filed in Duval County, Florida, is seeking more than $1 million in damages. Per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, the women are demanding that the case go to a jury trial.
McManus’ attorney released a statement denying the allegations and saying he will fight to clear his name.
“These are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player,” McManus’ attorney, Brett R. Gallaway, said. “We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are — an extortion attempt.”