DENVER (AP) — Michael Wilhoite, an assistant coach for the Denver Broncos, is in trouble with the law. He faces a felony assault charge after an incident at Denver International Airport where he allegedly punched a police officer in the face.
Wilhoite was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault on a police officer and taken to jail on Sunday. A judge later set his bond at $5,000.
The Broncos are aware of the situation and are collecting more details. They released a statement about it.
The police report details the events leading up to the arrest. Wilhoite parked his car in a drop-off area and left it unattended. When he returned, an officer informed him that he couldn’t leave it there. Instead of complying, Wilhoite reacted aggressively, telling the officer to “shut up” and bumping into him. The confrontation escalated when Wilhoite punched the officer, knocking him down.
As Wilhoite tried to get back to his truck, the officer used a Taser to stop him. Wilhoite was then arrested at the scene.
During the bond hearing, Magistrate Arnie Beckman expressed concerns about the situation, noting that similar daily interactions usually don’t lead to violence. He said these encounters often go smoothly and that it was troubling to see one turn violent.
Wilhoite’s attorney has not yet commented on the case. The 38-year-old coach joined the Broncos in 2023. Before that, he worked with coach Sean Payton in New Orleans and was the linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.
In his coaching career, Wilhoite has helped his teams achieve impressive results. The Broncos set a franchise record last season with 63 sacks, marking an end to their playoff drought.
Before becoming a coach, Wilhoite played six seasons in the NFL as a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
Source link
Law enforcement, Michael Wilhoite, Denver Broncos, Denver, Sean Payton, Crime, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, General news, NFL, CO State Wire, Sports, U.S. news, NFL football, U.S. News
