Denver Broncos signed ways of linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite on Wednesday after the assistant’s arrest at an airport last month.
Bronco’s main coach Sean Payton made a statement on the go.
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Denver Broncos outside Linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite during training camp at Centura Health Training Center in Angelwood, Colorado, July 28, 2023. (Isaiah J. Downing-usa Today Sports)
“After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him that we have decided to share ways,” Payton said via ESPN. “We recognize the serious nature of the claims against him and believe that this is the best course of action at this time. I value Michael’s contribution to Broncos and am convinced that he will move forward in a positive direction.”
Wilhoite was arrested on February 23 on a charge of abuse at a second degree of a peace officer, prison registers showed.
Wilhoite had left his car unattended for a while, and an officer at the airport approached him and told him he couldn’t do it, reported KDVR TV, citing a probable case statement. He allegedly told the officer explicitly about holding a chain.
After being told again about leaving the car unattended, Wilhoite allegedly approached the officer in “an aggressive way and bumped his chest in the victim, causing him to step backwards.”
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Seattle Seahawk’s Michael Wilhoite, #57, celebrates after making a tackle against San Francisco 49ers on a point -baked turn over the second half at Centurylink Field in Seattle on September 17, 2017. (Steven Bisig-usa Today Sports)
Wilhoite was pushed away before he allegedly stopped the officer in his face. His next court date is 10 March.
Wilhoite was a non -drawn free agent out of Washburn when he got his first taste of NFL action in 2012 with San Francisco 49ers. He played for the 49s through the 2016 season.
He signed with Seattle Seahawks in 2017 and played only one year for them.
Wilhoite put his sights on the NFL Coaching rows in 2019 when he signed as a special team assistant at New Orleans Saints on Sean Payton’s staff. He was then on the Los Angeles Chargers’ staff in 2021as their linebackers coach. He was released after the 2022 season.
In 2023 he went with Payton, but with Broncos.
Broncos went from a team at the bottom of the league in points and yards allowed by 2023 to one of the best defense in the NFL in 2024 – ranked as third in allowed points and seventh in yards allowed.
San Francisco 49ers inside Linebacker Michael Wilhoite, #57, before the game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California, October 23, 2016. (Kelley L Cox-usa Today Sports)
Denver played playoffs, but lost to Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.
