Updated: Mike Smith taken to hospital for observation, back in Atlanta
CHARLOTTE — Following Sunday’s Falcons-Carolina game, Falcons coach Mike Smith, 52, had chest pains and was taken to a hospital before the team’s charter flight left for Atlanta.
In a statement, however, the team described the situation as “a non-emergency matter.” Smith had undisclosed tests and was resting comfortably overnight, the team said.
Smith arrived back in Atlanta at 3 a.m. and is expected to be at the team’s Flowery Branch headquarters later today for team meetings at 4 p.m.
The Falcons will hold a walk-through practice between 7:30-8:10 p.m. in preparation for Thursday’s game against the Jaguars.
Smith will address the media following the session.
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238 comments Add your comment
Joe Tess Fish House
December 11th, 2011
10:31 pm
Mre braking news. SamBaker rushed 2 hopsital wiht sore bottom cus he got his but beeat today! LOLOLOLOL
frank
December 11th, 2011
10:32 pm
hang in there smitty
My Guess
December 11th, 2011
10:34 pm
After that HALFTIME scolding he gave them for playing like dog sh__ in the first half I am not surprised his heart skipped a beat. Whatever he did at halftime it definitely pumped some life into the team. By the way Cam Cam looked near the end he was ready to give up!!!!
Brownie
December 11th, 2011
10:35 pm
Joe Tess – the very moment you learn how to spell, the rest of us may just take you seriously. Nah, actually not.
Cobby
December 11th, 2011
10:36 pm
Hope you feel better soon !
Joe Tess Fish House
December 11th, 2011
10:38 pm
Brownie wat U no? U R full of nuts! LOLOLOLOL!!
Michael M.
December 11th, 2011
10:38 pm
Superman did give up, the Superbirds were too much for him on defense ! We are ready for the New Orleans Aints !
Around the NFL Week 14 - Page 12 - The Warpath
December 11th, 2011
10:40 pm
[...] Around the NFL Week 14 Mike Smith seems to be okay, but still… Mike Smith rushed to hospital with chest pains | Atlanta Falcons __________________ R.I.P. #21 New words created on The Warpath: Rewalsr – Somretimes – Fualt [...]
Brain Scab
December 11th, 2011
10:40 pm
Curious as to why so many of you are wishing Mike Smith to get well. Do you actually think he reads this blog? If you were head coach, would you read anything by Ledbetter?
Michael M.
December 11th, 2011
10:44 pm
Somebody must be reading it cause seems some of the things discussed on these blogs are being used by the team Brain Drain.
Trey
December 11th, 2011
10:44 pm
Brain, you never know. A lot of players and coaches read David O’Brien’s blog.
papadawg
December 11th, 2011
10:45 pm
Man after that game I was having a few chest pains of my own.
Brain Scab
December 11th, 2011
10:46 pm
OK….If you think the team reads this blog and takes anything posted here seriously, then you are totally high.
please share
david
December 11th, 2011
10:46 pm
The players need to to rise up.Every week they get information and coaching like every other team in the league.l think the players need to play like they want to to win during the entire game.The way they play it is easy to see why the coach has chest pains.RISE UP FALCONS.
Brian
December 11th, 2011
10:47 pm
Feel better Smitty!
Trey
December 11th, 2011
10:47 pm
brain scab, nope, just not naive like you.
Falcons Coach Mike Smith Rushed To Hospital With Chest Pains | Robert Littal Presents BlackSportsOnline
December 11th, 2011
10:50 pm
[...] scary news coming out of Charlotte tonight. Falcons head coach Mike Smith was rushed to a Charlotte hospital after experiencing chest pains before boarding a flight to Atlanta. “Following the Falcons verses Carolina game today head coach [...]
Michael M.
December 11th, 2011
10:50 pm
I get chest pains from Saint loving trolls on here and a head ache to boot ! Cain’t believe that sorry aint team manage to squeak by the Titans
Just me
December 11th, 2011
10:52 pm
@Joe Tess Fish House
How about you shut the f**k up? Boy.
Cheech
December 11th, 2011
10:58 pm
Prayers lifted for Coach Smith! Get well soon!!
Michael M.
December 11th, 2011
10:58 pm
#Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers on the wheel route for a 31-yard touchdown………I never saw that touchdown, Falcons have the 5th seed now I think
Samantha
December 11th, 2011
11:01 pm
Get well Coach Smith you are in our prayers. You and the team did outstanding today! RISE UP!!
Michael M.
December 11th, 2011
11:01 pm
If Giants beat Dallas they tied for first place
marie
December 11th, 2011
11:04 pm
Amen, Just Me!
Take it from me
December 11th, 2011
11:06 pm
Get well coach Smith! Falcons haven’t won anything yet!
Willie
December 11th, 2011
11:07 pm
Why even both with a chartered plane to Charlotte? The drive from Flowery Branch can’t be more than 3 hours, no?
Michael M.
December 11th, 2011
11:08 pm
The Falcons overcame a 16-point deficit by overwhelming the division-rival Panthers in the second half with 24 unanswered points to stun Cam Newton and the Panthers Sunday in Charlotte.
That’s what ya call finishing off an opponent
Mike is back
December 11th, 2011
11:14 pm
Glad to hear MS is okay…very class guy…hmmmmm…I though was the only one that angina from the BIRDS.
MsBulldawg84
December 11th, 2011
11:15 pm
The flight delays experienced at Charlotte are enough to induce chest pains…ugh! Get to feeling better Coach Smith!
Who Me?
December 11th, 2011
11:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Ekim
December 11th, 2011
11:18 pm
I agree with Bird. If he went to the hospital in an ambulance, he was rushed. That’s what they do, and it’s why they have those red lights and sirens on them, too.
Tom E. Gunn
December 11th, 2011
11:20 pm
Maybe they could hire doofuss smith as Cleveland coach; it would help Leadbetter simplify his pimp-duties.
Michael M.
December 11th, 2011
11:20 pm
Matt Ryan
#2 | QB | Falcons
22/38, 320 YDS, 4 TD
Drew Brees
#9 | QB | Saints
36/47, 337 YDS, 2 TD
I still can’t figure out how Ryan is not elite when his numbers are higher than one of the best.
So I guess it makes him one of the best too.
Later Taters
Joe Falcon
December 11th, 2011
11:24 pm
Get well COACH Smith!! That was a great come back today!! We love you!!
NJ Dawg
December 11th, 2011
11:31 pm
If I’d watched the first half of today’s game, I would’ve had heart problems, too.
That said, get well Coach Smith.
PMC
December 11th, 2011
11:39 pm
what is it with our coaches and chest pain? Get well soon coach!
First half couldn’t have helped.
john
December 11th, 2011
11:42 pm
he seemed a little bit confused speaking to the team after the game, hope all is well
chaos
December 11th, 2011
11:52 pm
Get Well coach Smith!
Chattanooga Chuck
December 11th, 2011
11:54 pm
Best wishes to Coach Smith. His health is the most important thing.
I felt like I was about to have a stroke during the second quarter today.
Old Violin
December 11th, 2011
11:56 pm
I have to agree ! This is overkill ! That’s why people don’t believe news media anymore. You can’t even trust a headline…….But ! We (me) have to share some of the blame…..we read this crap, and we buy the papers that pay the salaries of these journalist…. When I saw the head line, my first thought was……it can’t be serious or he would have been taken in the first half ! Hope coach is okay! Now let’s find out what’s wrong with Sam (72)…..
DBronco73
December 12th, 2011
12:08 am
Yeah, get well soon Smith. Your team needs you to take them to another disappointing playoff run.
Loyalfan
December 12th, 2011
12:13 am
God speed in your recovery coach Smith,and thanks for making sundays fun in the ATL, our thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.
YOU ARE TOO YOUNGE FOR STATUE.I Look forward to seeing you fighting for our team on the sidelines this thursday.God bless
Gwinnett Fred
December 12th, 2011
12:22 am
Not enough the AJC budget for a longer headline “Coach Smith stable after trip to hospital”
No wait, that’s actually shorter AND more factual.
Let’s face it folks, the AJC.com is NOT the old Journal-Constitution, better get used to it.
Pulling for you coach, hope you indeed make it home Monday with a clean bill of health!
Mikey
December 12th, 2011
12:27 am
Glad to hear it wasn’t serious. Our best to our great coach!
Will
December 12th, 2011
12:39 am
I have no idea why some people are freaking out over this headline. Coach Smith was, in fact, rushed to the hospital via ambulance. What, you want reporters/editors to ignore the story, period? Or how about they just say “he was treated for severe gas pains and was OK after a trip to the bathroom.” Would that be easier to read? Truth hurts, people. Ambulances don’t cruise at 25 mph to the nearest urgent care clinic. They rush there. That’s just what they do.
River
December 12th, 2011
1:06 am
The headline is fine.
Joe Tess Fish House is at best, a moronic skid mark.
Keith
December 12th, 2011
1:15 am
I understand what caused the episode, I was coming unglued during the 1st half, maybe this team finally got the wake up call they needed and I hope Smitty’s ok tomorrow come on guys yer better that this Wake up!!
Mark
December 12th, 2011
1:28 am
Glad to hear Smitty is okay. Great comeback today versus Panthers. Defense REALLY showed up in the 3rd and 4th qtrs. I am very concerned about the teams inability to grind it out in the red zone. Didn’t they get into the red zone today a couple of times and have to settle for field goals? T he four TD’s were pass plays. They just can’t grind it out inside the RZ. That will be a problem in the playoffs–perhaps due to missing Ovie Mughelli? And they better fix that right guard problem, quick!! Take care of youself Smitty and good luck for the rest of the season. Falcons in Super Bowl this Feburary!
tug man 53
December 12th, 2011
2:48 am
a game like that gave me chest pains.god speed mike get well soon
RedandBlack Peachy
December 12th, 2011
3:08 am
If Coach Smith had chest pains, I hope he was rushed to the hospital. Just because the result of tests makes the issue a non emergency doesn’t mean this headline was inaccurate. If you think he wasn’t rushed, you people must be crazy.