Packers K Brandon McManus says his sexual assault lawsuit is resolved

The Green Bay Packers signed a new kicker this week, Brandon McManus, to replace the recently released Brayden Narveson, who was acquired by the team on waivers after the team’s downsizing deadline at the end of the preseason. General manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the press on Wednesday about McManus’ signing, which apparently came with some scrutiny related to McManus’s naming in a civil sexual assault lawsuit that led to his release from the Washington Commanders this year spring led.

The original lawsuit, which alleged that McManus rubbed himself against two flight attendants while handing out food and tried to kiss one, was dismissed by Florida courts because prosecutors requested anonymity, which the judge granted. Three days later, the complaint was amended to include the names of the accusers.

The NFL conducted its own investigation, which by its count included 30 interviews. They found insufficient evidence to punish McManus when the league made its decision in late September. Tony Buzbee, who represents the two accusers, says the league never contacted the alleged victims. Per Sports IllustratedBill Huber, a league source, claims the NFL attempted to contact Buzbee multiple times and never received a response from the attorney.

At the time of the signing, it appeared that the civil case against McManus was still ongoing. That doesn’t appear to be the case, however, as McManus claimed in the locker room after Wednesday’s practice, his first with the Packers, that the matter had been “resolved.” According to NBC 26’s John Miller, McManus was asked to clarify whether the case was dismissed by the court or settled out of court, to which McManus reiterated that it was “resolved.”

This explains a comment Gutekunst made on Wednesday. Here is the quote:

“Last week, as those things were sorted out within the league and he sorted out some other things, those things kind of accelerated.”

These “other things” were likely the end of McManus’s civil case. According to Gutekunst, McManus would not have been available for a contract with Green Bay without the allegations made against the kicker. He said the team conducted its own investigation into McManus but that the Packers “relyed on the NFL’s investigation” throughout the process.

When asked directly about the issue, Gutekunst declined to say whether he believed the allegations had merit or not, but stated several times that the team agreed with both McManus and the NFL’s investigation.

Update:

The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman obtained a statement from McManus’ attorney Brett Gallaway, which also said McManus’ lawsuit has been “settled.”