Michael Wilhoite, the Denver Broncos' outside linebackers coach, faced termination on Wednesday following his arrest for allegedly assaulting a police officer at Denver International Airport. The incident, which took place on February 23, resulted in Wilhoite's arrest and subsequent charges. He was taken to the Denver jail before appearing in court on February 24, where he faced formal charges of second-degree assault on a police officer, obstruction of a peace officer, and criminal mischief.
Wilhoite's arrest stemmed from an altercation that began when he left his Ford Bronco unattended in a drop-off lane at the airport. According to police documents, the situation escalated when Wilhoite punched an officer in the face after the officer attempted to push him. The impact caused the officer to fall to the ground. Prior to this, Wilhoite allegedly confronted the officer verbally and aggressively bumped his chest into him.
The situation intensified when the officer deployed a taser on Wilhoite. Despite this, Wilhoite managed to drive away from the scene. Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed the incident and the decision to part ways with Wilhoite.
"After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways," said Sean Payton.
Wilhoite's career includes playing six seasons in the NFL, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers and a final season with the Seattle Seahawks. He transitioned into coaching, joining the Broncos' staff two seasons ago after serving with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 and 2020. The decision to release Wilhoite reflects the Broncos' stance on addressing serious allegations.
"We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time," added Payton.
In addition to acknowledging Wilhoite's contributions, Payton expressed optimism about Wilhoite's future endeavors.
"I appreciate Michael's contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction," he stated.
Furthermore, Payton emphasized that both he and the team maintained communication with law enforcement and the NFL throughout the process.
"We had been in contact with law enforcement officials and the NFL about the incident and that he and the team would follow proper protocols and channels before a decision was made about Wilhoite's future," noted Payton.
Leave a Reply