Mike Smith: Falcons Coach Cleared After Heart Attack Scare on Team Plane

Mike Smith dodged a major bullet twice on Sunday.

His Atlanta Falcons pulled off a come-from-behind win on the road against the Carolina Panthers, then he was medically cleared by a Charlotte area hospital after experiencing strong chest pains on the team flight, according to Peter King of Football Night in America and Sports Illustrated. G.M. Thomas Dimitroff  provided the good news:

"

It was not a heart attack. Everything came out negative with the tests. He’s in good spirits and we’re relieved.

"

Smith wasn’t feeling well on the plane while the aircraft was delayed due to other air traffic. The Falcons decided to remove Smith from the plane and have him examined by paramedics. The paramedics suggested that Smith be examined at a hospital.

He went to a nearby hospital and was told he didn't have a heart attack, and everything is OK. He is expected to be back in Atlanta in the middle of the night Monday morning and ready to go in practice this week.

The 52-year-old has never been linked to heart troubles in the past, so maybe he should just blame his team.

The Falcons slept walked through the first half and found themselves losing 23-7 at the half to the bottom-feeders in the NFC South. With the amount of teams with seven wins in the NFC, this was a must-win game for Atlanta. Matt Ryan ended up throwing for 320 yards and four TDs and order was restored in the 31-23 win.

I'm sure Smith was on the sidelines with more than a few beads of sweat running down his forehead during the first half.

All is well that ends well, but it is a reminder how much pressure goes into being a head coach in the NFL. The job is extremely taxing on their nerves, and clearly it can directly effect their health. Urban Meyer needed a year off to lower his blood pressure, and you get a better understanding of why when you hear a story like this.

Hopefully next week the Falcons put away the Jaguars early so Smith can relax on the sidelines.