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Rams Interim Coach Vitt Undergoes Angioplasty

POSTED: 3:34 pm CST October 31, 2005

St. Louis Rams interim head coach Joe Vitt underwent an angioplasty procedure on Monday.

Vitt had the operation early in the morning and was present at the team's afternoon press conference.

"Don't worry about me," Vitt said. "I'm fine."

Vitt took over the team three weeks ago when head coach Mike Martz revealed his health issues.

Martz has been suffering from an acute bacterial infection known as endocarditis since the start of this year. He was first admitted to the hospital on September 30 for treatment and evaluation.

Vitt did not mention the scheduled procedure in his postgame press conference on Sunday, although he did tell his players after the game that he had the angioplasty planned.

"I'm not Dick Cheney now," Vitt joked in reference to the vice president. "I informed the team after the game last night that what I say in the locker stays in the locker room. Obviously, that didn't happen. By this afternoon I was getting a heart transplant."

The 51-year-old Vitt had the procedure scheduled long before he became interim head coach and it was done for more of a preventive measure.

An angioplasty is a medical procedure in which a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart.

Vitt, who has been an assistant coach for 26 seasons, has a history of poor health problems, as he has already fought off two cases of testicular cancer.

The Rams defeated Jacksonville 24-21 on Sunday and improved to 4-4 this season, including two straight wins. Vitt is now 2-1 as the team's interim head coach.

St. Louis has its bye this week and will not play again until November 13 at Seattle.


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