Broncos Coach Michael Wilhoite Arrested for Alleged Assault on Police Officer
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The Denver Broncos' outside linebackers coach, Michael Wilhoite, is facing a felony assault charge for allegedly assaulting a police officer at Denver International Airport on Sunday. According to court records, Wilhoite allegedly punched an officer in the face after being told he couldn't leave his vehicle unattended in a drop-off lane. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Sunday, and Wilhoite was later arrested and booked in the Denver jail on a no-bond hold. His bond was set at $5,000 on Monday, according to court records.
According to the affidavit, Wilhoite told the officer to "shut the (expletive) up" after being approached and being told he couldn't leave his vehicle unattended. Wilhoite then "bumped his chest" into the police officer, and after being shoved back, punched the officer's face. The officer, who fell to the ground, used his taser on Wilhoite, hitting him in his left hip and side, but the Broncos assistant was able to drive away. The officer reported jaw pain and had "visible injuries" on his knees. The Broncos issued a statement saying they are aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering more information.
Wilhoite, 38, joined the Broncos' staff in 2023 after previously working for head coach Sean Payton as a defensive assistant and special teams assistant in 2019 and 2020. He was the linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 and 2022. Wilhoite played linebacker in the NFL for six seasons, registering 298 tackles and four interceptions in 79 games (45 starts) with the San Francisco 49ers (2012-16) and Seattle Seahawks (2017). The incident has raised concerns about the safety of police officers and the consequences of assaulting them. Magistrate Arnie Beckman said at the court hearing, "These are routine, everyday interactions that thousands of people get through successfully at the airport without assaulting a police officer."
The following are the details of the incident:
- Time of incident: 2 p.m. on Sunday
- Location: Denver International Airport
- Charge: Second-degree assault of a peace officer
- Bond: $5,000
The NFL has not commented on the incident, but it is likely that they will be monitoring the situation closely. Wilhoite's arrest is a reminder that accountability is important, both on and off the field. The Broncos and the NFL will need to take a close look at the incident and determine the best course of action to ensure that their employees are held to a high standard of behavior. The incident has also raised questions about the training and support that coaches and players receive to help them manage stressful situations and make good decisions.
wilhoite bronco assault michael officer felony police airport denver coach
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