Broncos Coach Michael Wilhoite ARRESTED: Shocking Assault Charge Against Peace Officer Rocks NFL—What Happened?
Wilhoite was arrested Sunday evening
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Denver Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was arrested in Denver on a charge of second-degree assault on a peace officer on Sunday, jail records showed.
Wilhoite, 38, was booked into the Downtown Detention Center in Denver and was set for a court appearance on Monday morning in Denver County Court.
Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite during training camp at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado, on July 28, 2023. (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
“We are aware of a situation involving Michael Wilhoite that occurred Sunday and are in the process of gathering more information,” the Broncos said in a statement, via 9 News in Denver.
The incident occurred at Denver International Airport.
Wilhoite had left his car unattended for a time and an officer at the airport approached him and told him he couldn’t do that, KDVR-TV reported, citing a probable cause statement. He allegedly told the officer explicitly to shut up.
After being told again about leaving the car unattended, Wilhoite allegedly approached the officer in “an aggressive manner and bumped his chest into the victim causing him to step backwards.”
Wilhoite was pushed away before he allegedly punched the officer in the face.
Wilhoite was an undrafted free agent out of Washburn when he got his first taste of NFL action in 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers. He played for the 49ers through the 2016 season.
He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 and only played one year for them.
San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite, #57, before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Oct. 23, 2016. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
Wilhoite set his sights on the NFL coaching ranks in 2019 when he signed as a special teams assistant with the New Orleans Saints on Sean Payton’s staff. He was then on the Los Angeles Chargers’ staff in 2021as their linebackers coach. He was let go after the 2022 season.
In 2023, he rejoined Payton but with the Broncos.
The Broncos went from a team at the bottom of the league in points and yards allowed in 2023 to one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2024 – ranked third in points allowed and seventh in yards allowed.
Seattle Seahawks Michael Wilhoite, #57, celebrates after making a tackle against the San Francisco 49ers on a punt return during the second half at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Sept. 17, 2017. (Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)
Denver made the playoffs but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the wild card round.
