Last month, Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was reportedly involved in an incident of physical assault at the drop-off line at Denver International Airport when he attacked an on-duty police officer.
While he is due to appear in court, Wilhoite is already facing the consequences of his actions in other ways and has been fired from his position at the Denver Broncos.
Denver Broncos coach fired
Michael Wilhoite, who was the outside linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos, was asked to leave the position following the incident at Denver International Airport where he physically assaulted a law enforcement officer.
Head coach Sean Payton said in a statement released by the team,
“After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways. We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time. I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.”
Frontier Airlines Airbus A320neo departing Denver International Airport DEN shutterstock_2106920216
Photo: Don Mammoser | Shutterstock
The incident at Denver Airport
On February 23, Michael Wilhoite was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault of a police officer. According to a police affidavit filed against Wilhoite, he arrived at the eastern terminal’s arrivals drop-off lane at Denver International Airport in the afternoon a little after 14:00.
Records state that he came in a Ford Bronco and, after pulling up at the arrivals drop-off lane, left the car unattended, something which is not allowed.
The affidavit states that an on-duty police officer approached Wilhoite when he returned to his car and told him about the rule of not leaving one’s vehicle unattended in the designated drop-off area.
However, Wilhoite exhibited violent behavior in response to the police officer’s statement and used offensive language before bumping his chest into the officer and then punching him in the face after the officer pushed him back.
The affidavit continues that when the officer fell to the ground, Wilhoite made his way back to the car and opened the door to get inside. But just as he was doing that, the police officer fired his Taser, which hit Wilhoite near his left hip and side. This shocked him momentarily, after which Wilhoite drove away from the airport.
According to The Denver Post, Wilhoite was arrested and produced in court where Magistrate Arnie Beckman set a $5,000 bond for him and said,
“These are routine, everyday interactions that thousands of people get through successfully at the airport without assaulting a police officer. That a routine, everyday encounter turned violent is concerning to the court.”
He was charged with felony assault of an officer, misdemeanor obstructing an officer, and criminal mischief and is due to appear in court on March 10.
Consequences of unacceptable behavior
This is the latest in a series of incidents on airplanes and in and around airports where people displayed unacceptable behavior and faced consequences.
Last month, a Frontier Airlines passenger got rough with others on the aircraft and had to be retrained on a domestic flight between Denver International Airport (DEN) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston.
He was recently charged with “destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities.” If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.
Aircraft silhouette
Photo: M101Studio | Shutterstock
In November last year, it was reported that an Arizona woman was facing a four-month sentence after violently assaulting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) more than a year ago.
She reportedly “inflicted bodily injury” on two officers, grabbed one officer by the hair, forced their head against a table, and hit their head “multiple times.”
Recently, a South Carolina man was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release because he stripped naked and assaulted a federal officer at Indianapolis International Airport in 2023.