In a stunning turn of events, kicker Brandon McManus has made his triumphant return to the NFL, this time as a member of the Green Bay Packers. After facing serious allegations that threatened to derail his career, McManus has emerged victorious as the cloud of uncertainty that loomed over him has finally dissipated.
According to a report by Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, McManus revealed on Wednesday that the lawsuit filed against him by two flight attendants for assault and sexual assault has been “resolved.” His lawyer, Brett Gallaway, and the attorney representing the plaintiffs, Tony Buzbee, have both confirmed that the case has indeed been resolved, though the specific terms of the resolution remain undisclosed.
The controversy surrounding McManus led to his dismissal from the Commanders shortly after the lawsuit was filed. However, on September 30, the NFL concluded its investigation into the matter and found “insufficient evidence” of a violation of the Personal Conduct Policy. Buzbee, in response to the NFL’s decision, mentioned that the league had not even interviewed the plaintiffs during their investigation.
The resolution of the case now poses a dilemma for the plaintiffs, who may no longer be willing to cooperate given the outcome. Questions still linger regarding the status of claims against the Jaguars, as a lack of a comprehensive resolution could potentially lead to further disclosures during depositions or trial testimony. This uncertainty emphasizes the importance of a blanket confidentiality agreement to prevent such scenarios.
“It’s been a difficult time these last couple of months,” McManus expressed on Wednesday. “I’m happy that it’s in the past now. I was hoping and working hard for another opportunity. I’m extremely grateful for the Green Bay Packers for giving me that next chance to come back out here and play the game I love.”
Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst chose not to delve into the specifics of the situation, but he assured that the team is “very, very comfortable” with McManus joining the squad. “I think for us really obviously he wouldn’t be available right now if those accusations weren’t out there,” Gutekunst commented. “But I think the league did a really thorough investigation, and we leaned on that as we went through it.”
