those rams coaches must have a ton of stress on the job.
Vitt undergoes angioplasty
By JIM SALTER, Associated Press Writer
October 31, 2005
AP - Oct 26, 7:37 pm EDT
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Joe Vitt, interim head coach of the St. Louis Rams while Mike Martz recovers from a heart ailment, underwent a heart procedure of his own Monday.
The 51-year-old Vitt had an angioplasty around 6 a.m., but was expected to speak at his regular Monday afternoon news conference, Rams spokesman Duane Lewis said.
``He's doing fine,'' Lewis said. ``I think it was just a routine procedure. It had been prescheduled. It was not the result of any issues the last two weeks or three weeks.''
Vitt told players about the procedure after Sunday's 24-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not mention his plans to the media.
In an angioplasty, a balloon is inserted through a tube and inflated to open blood vessels in the heart that have narrowed or become blocked. Lewis said he did not know specific details about why Vitt had the procedure.
Martz, 54, is being treated for endocarditis, an infection of the lining or the valves of the heart. He has taken antibiotics, though some people with the potentially fatal illness require open-heart surgery.
Martz will not return this season.
Vitt has been an NFL assistant for 26 years. He was hired by Martz last season as linebackers coach and assistant head coach.
Vitt has had previous health problems. He has recovered from two bouts of testicular cancer, the first when he was 23, the second nearly 20 years ago.
The Rams (4-4) lost their first game, against undefeated Indianapolis, under Vitt, but have since won two straight, including the upset of Jacksonville (4-3).
St. Louis has is idle next Sunday before playing at Nov. 13 at Seattle.
By JIM SALTER, Associated Press Writer
October 31, 2005
AP - Oct 26, 7:37 pm EDT
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Joe Vitt, interim head coach of the St. Louis Rams while Mike Martz recovers from a heart ailment, underwent a heart procedure of his own Monday.
The 51-year-old Vitt had an angioplasty around 6 a.m., but was expected to speak at his regular Monday afternoon news conference, Rams spokesman Duane Lewis said.
``He's doing fine,'' Lewis said. ``I think it was just a routine procedure. It had been prescheduled. It was not the result of any issues the last two weeks or three weeks.''
Vitt told players about the procedure after Sunday's 24-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not mention his plans to the media.
In an angioplasty, a balloon is inserted through a tube and inflated to open blood vessels in the heart that have narrowed or become blocked. Lewis said he did not know specific details about why Vitt had the procedure.
Martz, 54, is being treated for endocarditis, an infection of the lining or the valves of the heart. He has taken antibiotics, though some people with the potentially fatal illness require open-heart surgery.
Martz will not return this season.
Vitt has been an NFL assistant for 26 years. He was hired by Martz last season as linebackers coach and assistant head coach.
Vitt has had previous health problems. He has recovered from two bouts of testicular cancer, the first when he was 23, the second nearly 20 years ago.
The Rams (4-4) lost their first game, against undefeated Indianapolis, under Vitt, but have since won two straight, including the upset of Jacksonville (4-3).
St. Louis has is idle next Sunday before playing at Nov. 13 at Seattle.
