Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is out of jail on a personal recognizance bond after he allegedly punched a Denver police officer in the face and knocked him down during a confrontation at Denver International Airport.

Wilhoite cussed and chest-bumped the officer before he hit him “with a closed left fist” after being advised not to leave his 2021 Ford Bronco unattended, the arrest affidavit states.

It all started when Wilhoite got out of his vehicle on the fourth level and was advised not to leave it unattended, according to the arrest document obtained by The Denver Gazette.

The officer told Wilhoite not to leave his SUV twice. Both times Wilhoite told him to “shut the F___ up,” and then chest-bumped him, causing the officer to fall backward.

The incident occurred at 2:09 p.m. Sunday.

The affidavit states that after he allegedly hit the cop, Wilhoite opened the driver-side door to get inside and the officer tased him on the left side of his body. Despite being tased, Wilhoite drove away.

Wilhoite was booked into the Denver County jail around 7 p.m. Sunday and appeared in court Monday morning in a suit and tie. He was given a $5,000 personal recognizance bond and ordered to pay $500 cash bail. 

Denver County Magistrate Arnie Beckman told Wilhoite that lots of people go through the airport every day without issues during “these routine everyday encounters.” 

In asking for the bond, Wilhoite’s attorney, Stephen Burstein, noted that he has never been in trouble and was at the airport with his wife and two children. 

“We are aware of a situation involving Michael Wilhoite that occurred Sunday and are in the process of gathering more information,” a Broncos spokesperson previously told The Denver Gazette.

Wilhoite spent the last two NFL seasons as the Broncos outside linebackers coach after being hired in February 2023. His background includes two previous years under coach Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints as a special teams assistant (2019) and defensive assistant (2020).

Wilhoite oversaw significant defensive production in Denver. Broncos outside linebackers Jonathan Cooper and Nix Bonitto combined for 40.5 sacks over their last two seasons.

Wilhoite is a former NFL linebacker who played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks (2012-17).

Denver Gazette sports reporter Kyle Frederickson contributed to this report.