Former NFL player and current Denver Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault of a police officer in Colorado.
As reported by Mike Klis of 9 News, Wilhoite was booked into Denver’s downtown jail on Sunday on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. According to jail records, the Broncos linebackers coach will appear in Denver County court on Monday morning.
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- Michael Wilhoite career earnings (Spotrac): $5.914 million
While no details have been provided on the arrest or alleged incident, the Broncos did release a statement confirming they are aware of Wilhoite being arrested on accusations of second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer.
“We are aware of a situation involving Michael Wilhoite that occurred Sunday and are in the process of gathering more information.”
Denver Broncos team statement on the arrest of linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite
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Wilhoite, age 38, went undrafted in 2011 and started his pro football career with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He joined the San Francisco 49ers practice squad in December 2011 then worked his way up the roster the following season. He became a two-year starter with the team from 2014-’15, totalling 129 solo tackles with 7 pass deflections and 7 tackles for loss in 28 starts over two seasons.
After playing five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Wilhoite played for the Settle Seahawks in 2017 and made 9 starts in 14 games. Following his age-31 season, he was out of the league for two years before joining the New Orleans Saints coaching staff in 2019 as a special teams assistant.
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Wilhoite was part of the Saints coaching staff under Sean Payton from 2019-2020. He then joined the Los Angeles Chargers coaching staff, serving as linebackers coach from 2021-’22 before Payton hired him as the Broncos outside linebackers coach in 2023.