Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is accused of punching a police officer in the face at the drop-off line at Denver International Airport on Sunday, according to court records.
Wilhoite, who played for the 49ers from 2012-16 and started 28 games at inside linebacker from 2014-15, is facing a single charge of felony assault over the incident, court records show. Police say Wilhoite, 38, pulled up to the airport’s arrivals drop-off lane at the east terminal around 2:09 p.m. Sunday, got out of his 2021 Ford Bronco and left it unattended, according to a police affidavit filed against Wilhoite.
A uniformed Denver police officer assigned to the area approached Wilhoite when the coach returned to his vehicle and told Wilhoite he could not leave his vehicle unattended, according to the affidavit.
Wilhoite twice told the officer to, “Shut the (expletive) up,” according to the affidavit. Wilhoite then approached the officer and “bumped his chest” into the officer, according to the affidavit. The officer shoved Wilhoite back, and Wilhoite punched the officer in the face, police alleged in the affidavit.
The officer fell to the ground and Wilhoite returned to his car, but, as he opened the door to get inside, the officer fired his Taser, according to the affidavit. The Taser struck Wilhoite near his left hip and side. The Taser shocked him for a few seconds, then Wilhoite got into his car and drove away, according to the affidavit.
The officer had “visible injuries” on his knees, as well as jaw pain, according to the affidavit.
Wilhoite, who was later arrested, waited for his appearance in Denver County Court on Monday morning in a yellow jail jumpsuit. He was not handcuffed and chatted with jail deputies before his hearing.
Magistrate Arnie Beckman set a $5,000 bond for Wilhoite during the brief hearing and said he was concerned about the alleged violence.
“These are routine, everyday interactions that thousands of people get through successfully at the airport without assaulting a police officer,” Beckman said. “That a routine, everyday encounter turned violent is concerning to the court.”
Wilhoite’s attorney, Stephen Burstein, declined to comment after the hearing but said he expected Wilhoite to bond out of jail Monday.
A Broncos team spokesman previously said the team was aware of the coach’s arrest and that the team was gathering more information.