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.
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