Falcons' Freeman amused by Sean Payton's 'choke' signal
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman was more amused than bothered by New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton signaling and yelling "choke" from the sideline during the fourth quarter Thursday.
"Man, I saw it,'' Freeman said following the Falcons' 20-17 win, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN. "That man don't know nothing about choking. He ain't from where I'm from. He don't know about choking. He's a good competitor. The 'competes' probably came out. But we don't let that bother me. He don't know nothing about choking.''
Payton's call and gesture may have been a simple instruction to his team, but it may have also been a reference to Atlanta blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl last season.
The Super Bowl-winning coach said postgame that he didn't even remember "choking" on the sideline.
#Saints HC Sean Payton yelling, “choke” on the sideline 👀 pic.twitter.com/hRgCD6yavm
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) December 8, 2017
"He ain't going to get it off me," Freeman responded when asked if he thought Payton was trying to obtain a psychological advantage by playing mind games with the Falcons. "I'm a different animal. He's tripping. But, it's all good.''
Freeman and the Falcons got the last laugh at Payton's expense, as the coach drew a penalty for running onto the field during the last possession of the game that sealed the win for Atlanta. Freeman rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
The teams will meet again Dec. 24 in New Orleans.