Sexual assault suit vs. ex-Jags kicker Brandon McManus dismissed - ESPN

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A circuit court judge in Florida dismissed a lawsuit filed by two women against former Jacksonville kicker Brandon McManus and the Jaguars that accused McManus of sexually assaulting them on the team's overseas trip to London in 2023, according to court documents obtained by ESPN.

Judge Michael S. Sharrit granted a motion from McManus' attorney Tuesday by ruling that per Florida law the two women's use of pseudonyms Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II does not meet «exceptional case» criteria required to warrant party anonymity. Sharrit also wrote that «fairness requires Plaintiffs be prepared to stand behind their charges publicly in the same way Defendant McManus must openly refute them.»

The ruling gives the two women 10 days to file an amended complaint using proper name identification, which the attorney for the two women says they will 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,» Tony Buzbee said in a statement to ESPN. «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.»

Sharrit's order also said that the two women's reliance on the threat of physical harm if revealing their names to be «largely speculative» and there «has been no showing that either Jane Doe I or Jane Doe II face any specific or imminent threat of violence or physical harm If required to publicly litigate their claims.»

«We are very pleased with the court's order in connection with Mr. McManus' motion to dismiss these baseless allegations,» McManus' attorney, Brett