The Denver Broncos have decided to part ways with assistant coach Michael Wilhoite following his arrest last week at Denver International Airport.
The former NFL player was accused of cursing at and physically striking a police officer, leading to his dismissal from the team.
Broncos Head Coach Announces Decision to Fire Wilhoite
In a statement, Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed the situation, explaining that after careful discussions, the decision was made to terminate Wilhoite’s contract.
“We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time,” Payton said.
He added, “I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.”
Details of the Incident at Denver International Airport
Court records obtained by the Denver Post revealed that Wilhoite is facing a felony assault charge in connection with the incident that occurred at the airport.
Police reports indicate that Wilhoite drove into the drop-off lane at Denver International Airport last Sunday and left his vehicle unattended.
When a uniformed officer approached him, Wilhoite allegedly refused to comply with instructions to stay in his vehicle.
The situation escalated when Wilhoite allegedly told the officer to “shut the [expletive] up” twice, before “bumping his chest” into the officer.
The officer responded by pushing Wilhoite back, which led to Wilhoite allegedly punching the officer in the face.
The officer then deployed his Taser, which struck Wilhoite in the hip, briefly incapacitating him.
Wilhoite then fled the scene in his vehicle, while the officer was left with visible injuries to his knees and pain in his jaw.
Arrest and Legal Consequences
Wilhoite was later arrested and his bond was set at $5,000. His attorney has stated that he is expected to be released from jail shortly.
The Broncos, in response to the incident, released a statement saying they were aware of the situation and were in the process of gathering more details.
A Look Back at Wilhoite’s Football Career
Before his coaching career, Wilhoite had a notable six-season tenure in the NFL, despite being an undrafted free agent out of Washburn University.
He played for the San Francisco 49ers, including a special teams role during their Super Bowl XLVII loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Wilhoite finished his playing career with 298 total combined tackles, four interceptions, and one fumble recovery.
After retiring from playing, Wilhoite began his coaching career.
He worked as a special teams assistant with the New Orleans Saints, then moved to a defensive assistant role.
In 2021, he was hired as the linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, where he helped develop players such as Drue Tranquill.
However, he was let go by the Chargers in January 2023, and the Broncos hired him a month later.
Looking Ahead
With Wilhoite’s departure from the Broncos, the team will now seek to fill his position.
While the details of the incident are still unfolding, it has undeniably affected the Broncos’ coaching staff and raised important questions about conduct and professionalism.