Judge: Accusers of ex-Jags K Brandon McManus must drop pseudonyms

A Florida circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit Monday alleging that former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus sexually assaulted two women on a team flight last year.

But McManus' accusers plan to re-file their case without the use of pseudonyms Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, their attorney told ESPN.

According to court documents obtained by multiple outlets, Judge Michael S. Sharrit granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit because under Florida law, anonymous filings of lawsuits "should be reserved for those exceptional circumstances that outweigh the public interest in open proceedings." Sharrit also said that "fairness requires" the plaintiffs to "stand behind their charges publicly in the same way Defendant McManus must openly refute them."

The judge ruled that the women have 10 days to amend their lawsuit using their names. Attorney Tony Buzbee told ESPN that that's what they plan to do.

"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," Buzbee told ESPN in a statement. "We anticipated this ruling. To be clear, these women have no intention to run and hide, and will comply with the court's order in a timely fashion. We look forward to continuing to pursue this important case."

"We are very pleased with the court's order in connection with Mr. McManus' motion to dismiss these baseless allegations," McManus' attorney, Brett Gallaway, said in a statement. "We look forward to him returning to the NFL playing field as soon as possible."

McManus is accused of rubbing and grinding against two women who were staffing a team flight to London for a game in the 2023 season. Jane Doe I said McManus tried to kiss her and Jane Doe II said McManus "smirked and walked away" after she confronted him about grinding against her.

The Jaguars are also named in the lawsuit, as the women claim the team did not provide a safe working environment on the flight.

The lawsuit was filed in May, after McManus had signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Washington Commanders. The Commanders soon released him, though it was later reported that the team paid out his full signing bonus.

McManus, 33, spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos before joining Jacksonville in 2023. He is not currently signed to a team for the upcoming season.

--Field Level Media