Coach Reeves Resting Comfortably
Dan Reeves recognized that burning sensation in his chest and throat, but kept hoping it would go away. He didn't want anything to distract from the Atlanta Falcons' remarkable season.
Finally, after a couple of weeks of discomfort, the 54-year-old coach mentioned the symptoms to a team physician. A day later, he was undergoing heart surgery.
Reeves remained in serious but stable condition today after quadruple-bypass surgery. He was operated on Monday, one day after the NFC West-leading Falcons defeated New Orleans 27-17 to equal the franchise record for victories in a season.
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After spending the night in intensive care at Piedmont Hospital, Reeves was expected to move to a private room today. He probably will be discharged Friday and should be able to coach in the playoffs.
Reeves had less serious heart procedures in August 1990 and again five months later.
"He recognized it was probably the same problem," said Dr. Charles Harrison, the team physician. "But he didn't really want to admit it because ... things are going so good."
Minutes after the Falcons (12-2) beat the Saints on Sunday, Reeves pulled Harrison aside in the Superdome locker room.
"He kept saying to me that he might be overreacting," the doctor said. "I told him he wasn't."
Doctors stressed Reeves did not suffer a heart attack and there was no permanent damage to the organ.
"We're very optimistic," said Dr. James Kauten, who performed the four-hour operation. "The function of the heart is normal, he's a strong man and we think he's going to do very well long term."
Rich Brooks, the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, will be the interim head coach for Sunday's game at Detroit. The Falcons, who have won seven in a row, can clinch the division title and a first-round playoff bye with a victory.
"We've got to rally around Dan," center Robbie Tobeck said. "Hopefully, we can get that first-round bye so we can have Dan back on the sidelines in the playoffs."
Reeves might be able to oversee some preparations for the final regular-seson game against Miami on Dec. 27.
The Falcons have won 18 of their last 22 games after years of mediocrity, including a 3-13 finish the season before Reeves was hired in 1997. The team earned its earliest playoff berth, just the sixth in its 33-year history.
Brooks was a head coach for two years with the St. Louis Rams before joining the Falcons. He became teary when discussing Reeves.
"We're talking about a guy who has meant everything to this organization," Brooks said. "Hopefully, people will start to recognize it and respond to this team and what Dan has accomplished."
The Falcons players said Reeves gave no indication something was wrong.
"He's just tough as nails and won't say anything to anybody," running back Jamal Anderson said.
One of his former players said the surgery will not diminish Reeves' enthusiasm.
"Dan has a passion for coaching just like most coaches," said New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, who played for Reeves from 1993-96. "Most of them would probably like to fall out right there on that sideline, so it doesn't surprise me that Dan was coaching under those circumstances."
Reeves has been in good health, and his most recent heart scan in February showed no problems.
Harrison said the stress of coaching may well be responsible for his heart problems. Fellow coaches Bill Parcells and Mike Ditka also have had heart trouble.
"I don't envy him, having been there," said Parcells, coach of the New York Jets. "That's a big operation, a very, very difficult convalescence period. It taxes you mentally."
Brooks will remain in the coaches' booth Sunday and focus on defense, though he will oversee some offensive calls. Quarterback coach Jack Burns will call the plays, relaying signals to offensive coordinator George Sefcik on the sidelines.
Reeves is the NFL's winningest active coach and eighth among all coaches with a record of 160-117-1. He took Denver to three Super Bowls during the 1980s.
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