New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton gave Falcons running back Devonta Freeman a ‘choke’ sign during Thursday night’s game.

“I don’t remember that,” Payton said after the game.

Freeman remembered it just fine.

“I saw it,” Freeman said. “That man don’t know nothing about choking. He ain’t from where I’m from.

“He’s a good competitor so the competin’ probably came out. But you don’t let that bother you. He don’t know nothing about choking.’ ”

The Falcons were down 17-10 when Payton gave them the choke sign.

It was after Freeman ran out of bounds on a first-and-10 play from the Saints’ 33 for no gain.

The Falcons would go on to tie the game on Mohamed Sanu’s 8-yard touchdown catch.

The Falcons won the game 20-17 as the Saints arguably choked on their last drive which ended with a Deion Jones interception in the end zone.

The Falcons are a little sensitive about the choke sign after the team blew a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl.

Perhaps that was what Payton was referencing.

Earlier in the season, Payton was seen yelling at Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter. He also claimed not to remember that incident.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP