Falcons' Coach Mike Smith taken to hospital after game against Panthers – NFL News
It seems the pressure of seeing his team’s late fourth quarter comeback against Carolina Panthers stressed out Atlanta Falcons Coach Mike Smith too much.
The 52-year old four year veteran Coach was rushed to hospital after the Falcons 31-23 win over the Panthers with complaints of chest pain. The Falcons chartered plane was resting on the tarmac due to air traffic and with a long
delay before the flight the team management decided to send the Coach to hospital for what a Falcons spokesperson described as a “non-emergency matter”.
The team released a statement on Sunday over the situation saying
"Following the Falcons game vs. Carolina today, head coach Mike Smith was transported to a hospital in Charlotte for a non-emergency matter," the team said. "Coach Smith is resting comfortably, his tests reaffirmed his health,
and he is expected to be in Atlanta on Monday. The Falcons will provide further information as it becomes available."
The Falcons Coach will return back to Atlanta on Monday with franchise owner Arthur Blank sending his own private jet over to pick up his team’s coach.
Smith has coached the Falcons for four seasons after joining the franchise from Jacksonville Jaguars where he was a defensive coordinator. Smith has made the Falcons team into a playoff contender.
The Falcons won in Carolina after a brilliant second half performance to peg back a 23-7 first half Panthers lead. Quarterback Matt Ryan won his sixth straight game against the division rivals and played a crucial role in the Falcons
victory.
The quarterback sent four passing touchdowns including a wonderful 75-yard game winner to rookie wide receiver Julio Jones who scored two touchdowns on the night both from Ryan’s passes.
Atlanta Falcons now have an 8-5 record after week 14 of the National Football League and are right behind the Detroit Lions in the race for the two available wild card playoff spots. This will be the second time the Falcons will
reach the postseason under Smith.
With Smith likely to be back on the sidelines for the Falcons Thursday night week 15 encounter against his old team Jacksonville Jaguars and maybe hope his team wins much more comfortably this time.
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