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.

238 comments Add your comment

Kane337

December 11th, 2011
10:13 pm

Get well coach Smith and safe travels back to Atlanta.

Hummon

December 11th, 2011
10:13 pm

Needlessly panic inducing headline.

Michael M.

December 11th, 2011
10:13 pm

Patrick

December 11th, 2011
10:14 pm

Hope Mike’s OK.

FalconTide

December 11th, 2011
10:14 pm

Get well smitty.

Hummon

December 11th, 2011
10:14 pm

On the front page that is.

Michael M.

December 11th, 2011
10:14 pm

third is okay too

Awhitney

December 11th, 2011
10:15 pm

Get better Smitty. Gosh, this sounds like ‘98 all over again with coach Reeves. At least we went to the SB that year. Let’s rally for the coach!

Swifty

December 11th, 2011
10:15 pm

98′ Falcons with Dan Reeves

John Kimble

December 11th, 2011
10:15 pm

“Needlessly panic inducing headline.”

x2

Lola84

December 11th, 2011
10:15 pm

Glad to hear your fine Smitty. Hope you are doing well. Can’t wait until Thrusday. Best wishes!

Michael M.

December 11th, 2011
10:15 pm

thanks for clearing it up D-Led ! Tell you what, watching the Falcons play sometimes will give you heart trouble…..whew !

college dude

December 11th, 2011
10:16 pm

Get well soon Coach!

Shades of 1998 though…

Be Real

December 11th, 2011
10:16 pm

Overly dramatic headline AJC – try to be more credible

Ray98

December 11th, 2011
10:16 pm

My heart skipped a beat after reading the breaking news headline – get well coach Smith

Joe Tess Fish House

December 11th, 2011
10:17 pm

He finaly realised how much the Flacons sux! LOLOLOLOLO

Innocent Bystander

December 11th, 2011
10:17 pm

Chest pains? God bless, Coach Smith. I know how you feel, I keep 911 on speed dial when I watch your team play.

junefalcon

December 11th, 2011
10:18 pm

likely they over-reacted but I guess you can never be too safe at that age. Though it is obvious he gets special treatment because of his status as likely any “normal” person would have been sent home.

Outraged

December 11th, 2011
10:18 pm

I honestly thought we lost our coach with that headline. You guys at the ajc ought to be ashamed of yourselves

Michael M.

December 11th, 2011
10:18 pm

Why have I got a feeling we are in for something big this year ?

Quint in ATL

December 11th, 2011
10:18 pm

Let’s get better, Smitty!

Trey

December 11th, 2011
10:19 pm

Coach Smith, I hope you get better. Joe Tess, you are just as obnoxious on here, as you are on the Braves’ blog.

Mtn Falcon

December 11th, 2011
10:20 pm

Come on ajc, pick a less panic induced headline. If he is fine, then no need to scare the public.

Michael M.

December 11th, 2011
10:20 pm

You got to give the Team credit for the big comeback win ! Congrats to the team !

Hey out there you Aint Turds, how come your team barely squeaked by the Titans? The way you trolls talk they are unbeatable but almost lost that game with the Titans missing the opportunity to put it away in the end zone. Your Team got lucky on that one boys.

Don’t worry though Atlanta may finish what Tennessee started…..lmao !

waynester

December 11th, 2011
10:20 pm

The AJC headline is the same as every other site I’ve seen reporting this. That’s a good succinct headline with no hyperbole whatsoever……

Brian Hunt

December 11th, 2011
10:21 pm

Get well Coach. Glad it wasn’t an emergency.

phil

December 11th, 2011
10:21 pm

Don’t fire Mike Smith!

KevinM

December 11th, 2011
10:21 pm

Breaking news that isn’t breaking news…….

Watching the game, Smitty didn’t look so good there at the end…thought it might have been the TV……

Best of health coach and keep it monitored.

Jaime

December 11th, 2011
10:22 pm

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE AT THE AJC??? LOUSY REPORTING. LOUSY.

Third down efficiency is overrated

December 11th, 2011
10:22 pm

First, get well Coach Smith, you’re in my prayers.
The hyberbolic headline is just par for the course at AJC. I mean, this is the same sports dept. whose Braves beat writer is more interested in posting song lyrics or inciting the ire of the clubhouse by erroneously reporting a trade (google “Tim Hudson Dave O’Brien confrontation). The same sports dept. that runs articles on how mistreated the Falcons are, yet when other teams complain, it’s not even reported (even when it’s front page news on every other major site–see the reports after the GB game).

phil

December 11th, 2011
10:22 pm

The headline is definitely unnecessary….come on guys.

Mable Curtis

December 11th, 2011
10:22 pm

Coach Smitty, get better let go some of that stress. Ryan, offense & defense will get it together. No worries our birds will be alright. Your health is most important. Feel better cause we going cat hunting in Jacksonville.

Michael M.

December 11th, 2011
10:24 pm

Probaly Coach Smitty was stressed out after going in that locker room at halftime and chewing some butt after the first half demise and wow what a second half performance. Impressive !

Big Rod

December 11th, 2011
10:24 pm

Get Well soon Coach, we have another game coming up on Thursday night and we need you there.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 11th, 2011
10:24 pm

I taught it was funy. Dont get so angery. Smith is fine…..Unlike the teram which narley beat the Panters.

Lisa

December 11th, 2011
10:25 pm

Feel bettter Coach Smith!!

Lisa

December 11th, 2011
10:25 pm

mike

December 11th, 2011
10:25 pm

It was probably anxiety that built up in the 1st half and finally released. Get well Smitty we are going to need you.

phil

December 11th, 2011
10:26 pm

Fire joe tess!

Kane337

December 11th, 2011
10:26 pm

Per Peter King…..

“SI_PeterKing Peter King
Just to clarify, Mike Smith is still in Charlotte. He will fly back to Atlanta with GM Dimitroff sometime around midnight on owner’s plane.”

Joe Tess Fish House

December 11th, 2011
10:26 pm

I got braking news. The Flacons are over ratted.

Bird

December 11th, 2011
10:26 pm

what do you want the headline to read? he was driven “slowly” or “at normal speed” to the hospital with chest pains? I’m not an AJC apologist, but Jeez, that’s what happened. If you need to go to the hospital, it’s usually “rushed”

Carol L

December 11th, 2011
10:27 pm

We need you Coach! You turned us in the right direction. You get some rest and get better! May God bless you and keep you in his care.

REAL FALCONS FAN

December 11th, 2011
10:28 pm

may the lord bless you coach. BEST WISHES AND MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

phil

December 11th, 2011
10:28 pm

“taken” would’ve been less upsetting to us.

But whatever….as long as he’s truly ok.

[...] hospital with chest pains after the team’s game this afternoon against the Carolina Panthers. AJC.com is reporting that Mike Smith was rushed to the hospital this evening prior to the team boarding their aircraft to [...]

Michael M.

December 11th, 2011
10:29 pm

Fire joe tess! Put him on the short bus aimed at the commode ………nothing funny about Coach Smith having to go to hospital.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 11th, 2011
10:29 pm

U all need 2 remeber that I done told U all the problims with this team. It so very aparent that they have hugh problems cuz they waist there draft pix on loosers like Sam Baker, Perrier Jerry, Juliert Jone and Mat Ryan.

phil

December 11th, 2011
10:31 pm

Kane337
December 11th, 2011
10:26 pm

Per Peter King…..

“SI_PeterKing Peter King
Just to clarify, Mike Smith is still in Charlotte. He will fly back to Atlanta with GM Dimitroff sometime around midnight on owner’s plane.”

*********

But this will cause more chest pain thinking about the moronic julio jones for our future trade….

He looked ok today though!

fish

December 11th, 2011
10:31 pm

Pray’s are with Coach Smith.

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 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.

[...] 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.

dirty bird

December 12th, 2011
3:13 am

Praying for Coach

trademark

December 12th, 2011
3:44 am

Hope it’s nothing, Coach, get back to it!

Falcon228

December 12th, 2011
3:47 am

Great to hear Coach Smith is back. We need him down the stretch. Again guys, stay focused. Now, I’m troubled that the AJC will allow someone to put things on this website when it comes to a person’s health. You’re crossing a line that exceeds our first amendment rights. It’s disgusting. But when people publish these comments it comes down to karma. Watch your own days ahead. What goes around comes around.

Just Nasty & Mean

December 12th, 2011
4:32 am

…turns out it was just the burritos the team had at halftime in the locker room.

Mr. KnowitAll

December 12th, 2011
4:33 am

Watching the Falcon’s offense is enough to give ANYBODY a heart attack.

Falcon Friend

December 12th, 2011
4:35 am

I don`t understand the mentality of some people who post on these sports blogs. As time goes on, maybe some will go away or at least get more in tune with what real life is about.

P B Orr

December 12th, 2011
5:11 am

I’ll bet it was gall bladder or kidney stones. That can be really bad – experience. Short week, get well soon Smitty!

extremus

December 12th, 2011
5:23 am

I’m very glad that it appears Mike Smith is okay and that the situation wasn’t apparently very serious. I don’t wish to trivialize a matter as important as someone’s health, but when I read the headline my mind immediately went back to Dan Reeves’ heart issues during the ‘98 Falcons’ unlikely NFC Championship and lone Superbowl run.

The best Christmas gift the Falcons could give to Mike Smith (not to mention all their fans) would be to continue playing 60 minutes of football like the last 30 yesterday and blowing some teams OUT for a change. I’m certain that Smith, the Falcons, and the rest of us would love to see more commonalities with 1998 than just their coach having a heart scare.

DrCH2

December 12th, 2011
5:46 am

Shades of 1998’s team and Coach Dan Reeves? They went to the Superbowl.

MountainMan

December 12th, 2011
5:51 am

Julio plus Roddy plus Gonzales plus Douglas plus Ryan… Not chopped liver!

CuseFalcon

December 12th, 2011
6:04 am

I see you second rate newspaper people changed the title……bumpkins

ATL_22405

December 12th, 2011
6:18 am

For Coach Smith: Got’a have YOU down the stretch – feel better SOON!

Road Scholar

December 12th, 2011
6:19 am

I had chest pains watching the first half of the Falcons game too!

Seriously, Coach, stay on top of this and we hope you feel better!

ATL_22405

December 12th, 2011
6:23 am

Weatherspoon is playing “Lights Out” football – Pro Bowl anyone?

jlperry

December 12th, 2011
6:26 am

great game coach smitty get well soon and GOD bless!!!!

RB

December 12th, 2011
6:39 am

Your health is more important than the upcoming game. Get well coach. we need you around.

Stepchild

December 12th, 2011
6:48 am

Falcon228……you need to get the law books out. There is no 1st amendment violation on this board. Just a few lamented people.

Sam the Sham

December 12th, 2011
7:00 am

Hoping coach gets well soon. He IS the Falcons.

Bill

December 12th, 2011
7:03 am

Mularkey’s offense gives everyone chest pains…

Paddy

December 12th, 2011
7:04 am

Joe Tess, you sir are a liar! Folks know your backround and do not like what they see. Pls go somewhere else and spit your venom!

falcfan66

December 12th, 2011
7:09 am

Get well soon Coach….Praying for you!

Name (required)

December 12th, 2011
7:13 am

Same thing happened to me when I watched the Titans almost beat the Katrinas.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 12th, 2011
7:15 am

N E 1 else thing its a time 2 fire Mike Smith? I mean the guy fakes a hart atack just so he wont have to be in the same plaine as his team. What will hwe do next raod trip?

Mike Smith Hospitalized After Win

December 12th, 2011
7:31 am

[...] Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith was taken to a Charlotte hospital Sunday before the team’s flight back to Atlanta because of chest pains, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]

alex

December 12th, 2011
7:44 am

joe tess-ease up, I agree with you, but diaper-trained michael m. is upset;falcons are posers and will get crushed if they make it to the playoffs..Ryan needs to go or go to backup. In a quarterback driven league, he’s not good enough..

brewman

December 12th, 2011
7:44 am

The Falcon’s play this season has given me anxiety attacks as well.

Ed

December 12th, 2011
7:48 am

Get well soon Coach Smith, your the best Go Falcons!

Misplaced Cajun

December 12th, 2011
7:53 am

Good idea to get Coach off the plane & to the ER…how ugly could it have been if Roddy White was doing mouth:mouth somewhere over SC. I 4 one think Joe from Tess’ Fish House is a hoot.

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
8:13 am

Get well Coach..Glad to hear your a-okay!

Now Coach after that debacle yesterday against a 4-9 team, you know this team is not ready to tackle the Giants in the Wildcard game yet especially on the road?

A 23-7 deficit at the half against a playoff team will be catastrophic! AGAIN….Sorta like history repeating itself? I’m just saying…

DONNA

December 12th, 2011
8:18 am

GET BETTER COACH SMITH. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dwayne

December 12th, 2011
8:20 am

Ryan will not be mentioned in the same manner as the elite QB’s because he has not even won one playoff game….geeez. Who said the Falcons will play the Giants? Is the regular season over? Falcons take care of business Thursday and enjoy the weekend. Coach’s start game planning for Saints early Friday morning. Go Falcons!!!

Statick

December 12th, 2011
8:28 am

Feel better, Coach. We need you for Thursday night. Make sure you don’t allow any stressors to derail you on your way back to good health. Uh, in that case, you’d better fire Sam Baker ASAP.

DHD

December 12th, 2011
8:33 am

“Non-emergency.” Really?

Get well, Coach!!

JJ

December 12th, 2011
8:35 am

Get well soon Coach!!!!! We need you on the sidelines!!!!

Birdbrain

December 12th, 2011
8:48 am

We love you coach, get well soon. My prayers are with ye, Go Birds!!!

JD

December 12th, 2011
8:56 am

If these Falcon’s would just take care of business before the 4th quarter Smitty would have alot less stress and possibly no chest pains. I’m just a fan and these birds make my blood boil…good luck coach. Hope you feel better.

Split Decision

December 12th, 2011
9:00 am

Hey Joe Tesh Fish House – Your opinions are about as good as your spelling or, should I say, yer opinona r bout as good as yer spelin.

Split Decision

December 12th, 2011
9:03 am

Can’t wait to see you back in the game coach – here’s hoping for a speedy recovery and let’s kick some a**.

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
9:10 am

I keep seeing this Team with red jerseys and black helments in the Superbowl and its no hallucination !

Foothills

December 12th, 2011
9:11 am

Glad Coach is doing OK….possibly alot of folks feeling chest pains or other discomforts watching the Birds struggle vs. another NFL 2nd tier team. PLAYOFFS….ARE YOU KIDDING ME! PLAYOFFS?
Forgot to mention Pearl Harbor Day but headline news about our coachs non-emergency trip to hospital? Thanks AJC.

WDE

December 12th, 2011
9:13 am

Coach get better soon !

Ricardo Cabeza

December 12th, 2011
9:13 am

Glad it was nothing serious. Always better to be safe than sorry. Hurry on back home Smitty . . .short week to get ready for the Jags and they’ve been playing decent of late.

Tammy

December 12th, 2011
9:15 am

Keep enjoying that Salisbury Steak and chicken wingz. I’m sure it was just gas.

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
9:21 am

That 1st half debacle would make anybody sick…I’m just saying..

vesaversa

December 12th, 2011
9:21 am

Trying to win NFL football games can be bad on a person health .. I wish coach well , god speed.

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
9:23 am

Dont worry Coach you wont see the Packers again this year. Your staff and QB will see to that along with that vaunted defense..

Split Decision

December 12th, 2011
9:26 am

If the Falcons meet the Broncos in the playoffs, that one could Really put coaches in the hospital. I’m just sayin.

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
9:26 am

Titans 2x> the Panthers? I’m just saying…….

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
9:29 am

If the Falcons make it to get another shot at Green Bay and play like they did in that second half yesterday for the whole game they can beat them. The Packers are 19 wins straight and somebody has their next lost in their back pocket. The Pac is going to drop a game but the question is when and to who ? That win streak is past due for a loss ! They have this big head now that they are flawless and unbeatable.Somebody is going to knock em off their game. This run can’t go on forever.

Mr. Belichick

December 12th, 2011
9:30 am

I get chest pains when I watch the Falcons play too.

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
9:31 am

Another 4-9 team coming into town? Looks like another nail biter on Thursday Night Football!

Hang in there Coach!

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
9:31 am

@Split Decision…………….Now that was funny, hey that would put the whole City in the hospital !

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
9:33 am

@ CGD.. , You might change your initials to RGD in several more weeks Ryan Gone Deep…..lmao

Split Decision

December 12th, 2011
9:44 am

@Tammy, Michael M. – I’m laying off of the Hot wings and Brats for a while myself. Hope to see you all in Indy for S.B. XLVI (where “the pack” will NOT be this year).

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
9:45 am

Sam Baker gets some action at guard…that was when he let the guy get through and sack Ryan for the safety………….that little fiasco put new life into that Panthers Team. He’s done, next year Baker will either be somewhere else or working as equipment manager or something. Atlanta can’t afford to have a player or players on the team costing them games. They probably be a few more gone too next year.

FalconsGirl

December 12th, 2011
9:48 am

Get better soon Coach!

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
9:49 am

Baker you are done man, catch the short bus outta town and maybe head for New Orleans….they might want ya.

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
9:55 am

Julio would take off those gloves and spit on his hands he could catch the stupid ball without having it throwed at him 3 or 4 times in a row too……………..Take The Gloves Off Man !

Falcon Lover

December 12th, 2011
9:58 am

First and foremost, Joe Tess need to learn how to spell and write before trying to blog. Health issues are a serious problem, and you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to be funny.

Sped recovery to Coach Smith, take your time and take care of yourself. We love you.

FalconsHeroZero

December 12th, 2011
9:59 am

They played awful enough to cause a heart attack….

Hopefully he’s OK.. I know he screamed his head-off at halftime becasue they were asleep again..

Atlanta teams (especially in big games and series) always dig themselves in a hole, and try to climb out late..

No matter who is pushing the buttons..

It is a lack of focus like the AJC article says..

Ichabod

December 12th, 2011
10:00 am

Hey Coach, relax, take it easy, the team will win one for the Gipper on Thursday.

cdog

December 12th, 2011
10:03 am

rest first COACH SMITH. you have a capable staff and players to take care of business until you return.PUT JESUS FIREST FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND YOU WILL BOUNCE BACK BECAUSE HE WILL HEAL YOU. GOD BLESS YOU COACH SMITH. FALCONS WILL DRUB THE JAGS, SAINTS AND BUCS AND MARCH THROUGH PLAYOFFS FOR OUR SECOND SUPERBOWL. GO FALCONS!

SawThat1nce

December 12th, 2011
10:13 am

I’ll bet he ate some of that NC style BBQ, it gives me the heartburn everytime I eat it.

SawThat1nce

December 12th, 2011
10:18 am

Nail biter like N.O. had yesterday against Tenn.

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
10:19 am

I imagine the front office has been on Coach Smitty hard the past few weeks and the stress finally caught up to him in yesterday’s game…….no idea what when on in that halftime locker room but it sure worked out great. Everybody wanted to see them finish off an opponent, well they saw it yesterday with an opponent who was going to finish them off for the year !

chris

December 12th, 2011
10:21 am

get well coach and great come from behind win yesterday

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
10:23 am

Still shocked here, a game I thought they was going to lose after the first half but came from behind in maybe the turnaround the team needed to find their mojo or eye of the tiger again. Very impressive and teams that do this can go deep in the playoffs

later taters

Leeman

December 12th, 2011
10:28 am

Hiring a normal OC would alleviate all pyschological and physical pains…

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:28 am

4-9 opponent.. come from behind win? Oh the bar da bar has been set so low by this organization..lol

Great job Mr Blank! joking……

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:30 am

Mr Blank, if your squad goes down by say 25 @ the half this Thursday night on National TV and come from behind against a 4-9 team now thats impressive… joking…

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:32 am

That Norv Turner OC hire will be looking pretty good next season? Maybe?

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:33 am

Impressive??

Lets see Mighty Melt make a comeback against any playoff bound team?

Not……..

The Boss

December 12th, 2011
10:34 am

CDG = Career Dumping Garbage

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:36 am

Brilliant?^^^^^ Missed his train this morning? lol

willdave

December 12th, 2011
10:36 am

When it comes to medical issues, it’s always much better to err on the side of caution. I’m thoroughly relieved to hear that Coach Smith seems to be doing well and has resumed his regular routine.

Take care of yourself, Smitty.

J W

December 12th, 2011
10:37 am

Hospital after 4 pm —– home to Atlanta at 3 am —– practice at 4 pm.

Coach, please take 24-48 hours “off” and ensure everything checks out okay.

Reverel

December 12th, 2011
10:39 am

Praying for Coach Smith and the team, glad everything turned out fine. Now I can pray for a win Thursday night. GO FALCOS!

Section 121

December 12th, 2011
10:44 am

GET WELL COACH

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:45 am

Congratulations to the Saints for clinching a playoff berth! They earned it….

C’mon Falcons…Git der done to face them GIANTS in NUEAVE YORK!

Joe Tess Fish House

December 12th, 2011
10:46 am

I was not bein funy. I realy thing Caoch Smith did not want 2 be on the same plaine as the team, so he faked a hart atack.

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:46 am

Hey Coach let MM run the show for a couple of days to em work on these screen passes?

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:47 am

Stevcue

December 12th, 2011
10:48 am

If I had Arthur Blank walking along the sidelines, looking over my shoulder at every game, I would have a heart issues also. Arthur Blank and Jerry Jones are the only two owners who pace the sidelines. Why can’t he stay in the owners box and let the coaches do their job!!!

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:49 am

“CDG = Career Dumping Garbage”

Description of Melt in a couple of years…lol

megan

December 12th, 2011
10:54 am

Will someone please manage this blog so idiots like Joe Tess House do not get on and destroy the english language and make us all more stupid for reading that crap! Seriously, dude, did you graduate from elementary school?

Buzzman

December 12th, 2011
10:55 am

Get well Coach. No game is worth your health, don’t let it get to you. We shall rise for you……..

shiri

December 12th, 2011
10:55 am

Probably caused by Julio dropping 4 passes !

Johnson

December 12th, 2011
10:58 am

Coach Smith,

You are doing a Great Job!
I hope you are doing better, We will keep you in our prayers.

Falcon Fan

December 12th, 2011
11:06 am

Thanks Big “D”…Get well quick Boss..God’s speed.

?

December 12th, 2011
11:07 am

What is BTW?

First Dummy

December 12th, 2011
11:07 am

Looks like the first dummy was 3rd,lol. These 13 year olds should be in school.

I didn’t have chest pains because i tuned Falcon Flubs out after the first half.

realitycheck

December 12th, 2011
11:08 am

Michael M……….This team is going NOWHERE in the playoffs! I’m still in disbelief in the amount of emotional investment that you have since you are on here 24/7. Your predictions have been way off all season probably due to a bad combo of meds. If you really think this team is going to the SB, I suggest you get a mental evaluation soon, and a girlfriend wouldn’t hurt either because maybe she could occasionally get you to shut down your computer.

florida guy

December 12th, 2011
11:13 am

I like sports as much as the next person, but people making smart remarks when we’re talking about another person’s health is simply a microcosm of what’s wrong with society overall. Sharks who jump in at the first sign of blood. I pray and fear for our future generations. Coach Smith, while I am not sure how far the falcons will go this year, that matters not when it comes to health. Get well soon, and if you happen to read any of this, ignore the snide remarks of some who think they are smart and witty. If you’re like most of us, your probably surprised they knew how to log on and type.

C

December 12th, 2011
11:17 am

Anyone else feeling good about facing the Giants or Cowboys in the playoffs? It seems the NFC East teams just beat themselves at the biggest times.

Old White Haired Man

December 12th, 2011
11:17 am

BTW = By The Way

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
11:24 am

realitycheck

December 12th, 2011
11:08 am

“Michael M……….This team is going NOWHERE in the playoffs! I’m still in disbelief in the amount of emotional investment that you have since you are on here 24/7. Your predictions have been way off all season probably due to a bad combo of meds. If you really think this team is going to the SB, I suggest you get a mental evaluation soon, and a girlfriend wouldn’t hurt either because maybe she could occasionally get you to shut down your computer.”

O sh_t! I almost spilled my coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HaHaHa lmao!

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
11:25 am

She’d run once he whipped that thang out!!!!!!!!! joking…..^^^^^^^

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
11:27 am

C

December 12th, 2011
11:17 am

“Anyone else feeling good about facing the Giants or Cowboys in the playoffs? It seems the NFC East teams just beat themselves at the biggest times.”

Giants 52 Fal-cons 21 on Prime Time TV!..
Oh the Humanity……

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
11:29 am

BTW= Bubba Takes your Wallet……

KARL

December 12th, 2011
11:29 am

SMART MOVE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL-ANYTIME YOU HAVE CHEST PAINS THIS IS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUE-IF YOU WAIT – YOU TAKE THE CHANCE OF DAMAGING YOUR HEART MUSCLE AND THE DAMAGE CANT BE REVERSED

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
11:31 am

Yea his bipolar QB play would make anyone sick…..

Ted M

December 12th, 2011
11:31 am

Crap on short week…it happened at the worst time.

ls1z28chris

December 12th, 2011
11:33 am

He had a minor heart attack because he realized that after a come from behind victory against one of the worst teams in the league, he would have to face the AJC declaring his team Super Bowl contenders. The same thing happened after his team played the Colts.

The real serious heart attack will happen late on the 26th/early on the 27th after they lose to the Saints (again).

Dwayne

December 12th, 2011
11:39 am

cgd = completly gay dude

Laughing Out Loud

December 12th, 2011
11:43 am

Some of you people are a “real work of art…hate art!” Nothing is wrong with DOL’s headline, stupids. Chest pains are not thing to be taken lightly and observation is, of course, an obvious conservative precaution. What is it with you people, any way?

Teri

December 12th, 2011
11:43 am

Hey, all of you mean people, Get a life and stop being so hateful and judgemental!

Paul From Milton

December 12th, 2011
11:46 am

Based on the comments that I have seen from Saints fans I now understand what semi-illiterate ghetto scum is like. Making fun of someone’s heart attack is about as funny as making fun God cleansing New Orleans with Katrina.

Mako

December 12th, 2011
11:49 am

Dang Smitty…I had gas all night after that game, hope everything is OK

Falcons 4 Real

December 12th, 2011
11:50 am

Godspeed coach, glad you’re okay.

[...] for tests and was released from the hospital earlier Monday morning and returned to Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is expected to be at the team’s facilities today in Flowery Branch and will address the [...]

KEN

December 12th, 2011
11:57 am

understandable, I had chest pains after that game too…..

?

December 12th, 2011
11:59 am

Thats old man…

?

December 12th, 2011
12:01 pm

Thats Thanks Old white haired man…..

John

December 12th, 2011
12:04 pm

Get Well Coach! We are all praying for your good health.

Pete

December 12th, 2011
12:05 pm

Sam Baker is KILLING poor Smitty.
Get rid of him…………………………..now !!!

yeahsure

December 12th, 2011
12:10 pm

Coach Smitty,

Do your heart a favor and cut Baker. I get heart problems every snap he is out there.

Joe Tess Fish House

December 12th, 2011
12:21 pm

If UR team had that many fist round draft busts U wood have a hart atack 2!

bobwhite

December 12th, 2011
12:24 pm

Hey Smitty..Look after that ticker..better safe than sorry..Been there and done that..5 angio plasty’s here and I’m still kicking..still don’t know what the rush was to be back in Atlanta at such a god awful hour..Looks like you could have gotten back after a good 8-10 hours sleep..Ant nothing much you can do for them birds!
After all, you have a good brother in law to fill in if need be..certainly don’t want them other 2 monkeys in there!

DOL vs Kincaide

December 12th, 2011
12:27 pm

@ Bobwhite….What are you talking about?

Fan since 1970

December 12th, 2011
12:32 pm

Julio Jones misses in the first half gave me chest pains too. Jones made me eat crow in the 2nd half though. Coach Smith is by far the winningest coach the Falcons have had. I am proud he is at the helm. Take your Blood Pressure meds if you are given them

Chief Media Urologist

December 12th, 2011
1:05 pm

Makes the short week to the JAX game even shorter. Hang in there Smitty. Don’t know what kind of contingency plans the team has if the HC is on IR. Mularkey used to HC, though his lack of creativity with all the offensive tools he has at his disposal makes me wonder if there’s not a better solution….

Braves #17 Fan

December 12th, 2011
1:24 pm

Remember, Falcons fans. Thursday’s game is on the NFL Network, so be sure to make arrangements if you don’t get that channel.

Big D

December 12th, 2011
2:07 pm

Get well Smitty, Go Falcons

Cynical Bird

December 12th, 2011
2:09 pm

After the first half of yesterdays game, I made a trip to the ER myself!

:(

warthog

December 12th, 2011
2:10 pm

Godspeed coach!!

Long Time STH

December 12th, 2011
2:29 pm

Could history be repeating itself? Dan Reeves 98 hospitalized, faced the 16-1 Minnesota Vikings to have Morten Andersen kick a game winning field goal in the last seconds of the game in the NFC Championship, to go on to the first Super Bowl appearance in Atlanta Falcon’s history.

This year, head coach Mike Smith hospitalized with chest pains, goes to the playoffs and ends up facing the 2011, 16-1 Green Bay Packers…Matt Bryant kicks the game winning field goal in the NFC Championship for the Atlanta Falcon’s second trip in history to the Super Bowl. Stranger things have happened and we can dream can’t we?

what goes around come around

December 12th, 2011
2:43 pm

how many fancant’s said bad thing about payton breaking his leg??? yeah you know who u r !!! butt good luck, get well mike smith…. here’s a tip>>> don’t coach the game coming up in 2 weeks, that 1 may put u n ur grave…. L2MS

Ueeeidiot

December 12th, 2011
3:23 pm

Dicwayne probably lives in midtown….Hes probably on the D-low…

phatnate

December 12th, 2011
3:32 pm

Inaccurate headline. AJC does this all the time.

Bro

December 12th, 2011
5:14 pm

I feel sorry for some of you who wrote on this media medium. Your concern for your self far out weighs the concern for a human life. I bet if you have a chest pain you will cry like a baby and call for your mama. No wonder this country is in such a mess. You are just like the politicians in this country- you only can for your own immediate gain. You will all lose in the end. Cry baby cry.

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
5:18 pm

@ CGD……………Congratulations to the Saints for clinching a playoff berth! They earned it…. ,,,,,,yeah, they earned it alright, just saw on tv where they are being accused of cheating in Sunday’s Game with the Titans…………..claims someone on the sidelines was blowing whistles in the second half of the ballgame ‘As In Referee Whistles” to confuse the Titans! mmm Is that how you get to the Big Dance? Talk about a Whistle Blower Report………Come on Mannnnnnn !

Michael M.

December 12th, 2011
5:20 pm

AXETRIP

December 12th, 2011
5:36 pm

The half time fireworks in the locker room probably did not help – Get well Mike

ohhhhYEAH

December 12th, 2011
5:47 pm

@ What goes around

Number one, i dont remember seeing anyone saying they wish Sean Payton could never coach again or anything when he broke his leg.

Secondly, a broken leg and a “heart scare” are two COMPLETELY different things you ignorant piece of trash. go back to your bungalo in the swamp and dont come out until youre told otherwise

ohhhhYEAH

December 12th, 2011
5:48 pm

SirReal

December 12th, 2011
6:57 pm

This should be a rallying moment for the Birds. Smith, though we may have our perception, is actually one of the good guys out there in such a cold cut throat league. This is something that is REAL LIFE and has nothing to do with football. I wish him a clean bill of health. Lets get real here for a moment. Coaching in any level can be stressful, especially the NFL. The man has a family,etc as well so lets remember that.

Saints R.E.A.M.

December 12th, 2011
7:50 pm

Next he will be given a psychiatric evaluation for going for it on 4th and inches against the Saints….LOL.

Get well Smitty!!

CGD..

December 12th, 2011
10:22 pm

You got it!!!!!!!!!!!

alex

December 12th, 2011
7:44 am

“joe tess-ease up, I agree with you, but diaper-trained michael m. is upset;falcons are posers and will get crushed if they make it to the playoffs..Ryan needs to go or go to backup. In a quarterback driven league, he’s not good enough.”

A “QB Driven League” Hmmmmmmmmmmmm? Enough said!