The Denver Broncos have fired considered one of their assistant coaches after he was accused of punching a police officer within the face.
Michael Wilhoite, who performed for the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks earlier than transferring into teaching, was concerned in a confrontation with a police officer at Denver Worldwide Airport in February.
“After thorough discussions as a corporation, I met with Michael Wilhoite and knowledgeable him now we have determined to half methods,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton stated in an announcement launched by the crew on Wednesday.
“We acknowledge the intense nature of the allegations towards him and imagine that is one of the best plan of action at the moment. I recognize Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am assured he’ll transfer ahead in a optimistic path.”
Wilhoite is scheduled to look in court docket on 10 March to be suggested of the fees prosecutors plan to file towards him.
The 38-year-old was arrested on 23 February on suspicion of second-degree assault on a police officer and spent the evening at a Denver jail. In accordance with a police affidavit, Wilhoite left his car unattended within the drop-off lane of the Denver airport. A uniformed police officer approached Wilhoite when he returned and advised him to maneuver his automobile.
In accordance with the affidavit, Wilhoite advised the officer to close up and bumped his chest into the officer, who shoved Wilhoite again. Wilhoite then allegedly punched the officer within the face, knocking him down and returned to his truck. The officer used a Taser on Wilhoite as he entered his car to drive away.
At a listening to the day after the alleged assault, Justice of the Peace Arnie Beckman advised Wilhoite, “These are routine, on a regular basis interactions that 1000’s of individuals get by means of efficiently on the airport with out assaulting a police officer. {That a} routine, on a regular basis encounter turned violent is regarding to the court docket.”
Wilhoite joined the Broncos’ employees in 2023 as exterior linebackers coach after beforehand working for Payton in New Orleans as a defensive and particular groups assistant in 2019-20. He was the Los Angeles Chargers’ linebackers coach from 2021-22. Earlier than going into teaching, Wilhoite spent six seasons within the NFL as a linebacker with the 49ers and Seahawks.
