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Outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was
arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault on a police
officer and booked into the Denver jail on Sunday, according to
jail records. A judge set a $5,000 bond on Monday.
The Broncos issued a statement saying, “We are aware of a
situation involving Michael Wilhoite that occurred Sunday and
are in the process of gathering more information.”
According to a police affidavit, Wilhoite pulled up to the
airport's drop-off lane Sunday afternoon and left his vehicle
unattended. A uniformed police officer approached Wilhoite when
he returned and told him he couldn't do that.
Wilhoite told the officer to shut up and bumped his chest into
the officer, who shoved Wilhoite back, according to the
affidavit. Wilhoite then punched the officer in the face,
knocking him down, and returned to his truck, according to the
police affidavit.
The officer used a Taser on Wilhoite as he entered his vehicle
to drive away and Wilhoite was subsequently arrested, according
to the affidavit.
Magistrate Arnie Beckman set a $5,000 bond for Wilhoite at
Monday's hearing.
“These are routine, everyday interactions that thousands of
people get through successfully at the airport without
assaulting a police officer,” Beckman said in court, according
to the Denver Post. “That a routine, everyday encounter turned
violent is concerning to the court.”
The Associated Press left a message Monday with Wilhoite's
attorney seeking comment.
Wilhoite, 38, joined the Broncos' coaching staff in 2023 after
previously working for coach Sean Payton in New Orleans as a
defensive and special teams assistant in 2019-20. He was the Los
Angeles Chargers' linebackers coach from 2021-22.
The Broncos set a franchise record last season with an NFL-best
63 sacks in the regular season as Denver ended an eight-year
playoff drought.
Before going into coaching, Wilhoite spent six seasons in the
NFL as a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle
Seahawks.
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AP Sports Writer Pat Graham and AP writer Colleen Slevin
contributed to this report.
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