Ex-Cowboy Dan Reeves undergoes heart bypass surgery

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Reeves, who spent his football years in Dallas as a running back and assistant coach, underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery Monday and is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Friday.

Reeves had heart surgery to clear blockages back in 1990 and 1991while coaching in Denver, checked into the Piedmont Hospital after the Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-17.

Team physician Dr. Charles Harrison stated that Reeves did not have a heart attack and there was no permanent damage to the heart.

He believes the stress of coaching may have contributed to Reeves' condition. Mike Ditka, a friend and teammate of Reeves in Dallas, has also experienced heart problems.

Reeves, who reportedly had not been feeling well for the past several weeks, pulled Harrison aside in the locker room after the victory in New Orleans.

He told the doctor of a burning sensation in his chest and throat, took two aspirin, flew back to Atlanta with the team, then checked into the hospital at 6:30 a.m. Monday.

Cowboys coach Chan Gailey, who coached under Reeves in Denver, said he wanted to get in touch with Reeves' family after learning that his friend underwent surgery.

"I have not had a chance to talk to his family yet, but I'm sure I will," he said.

Dr. James Kauten, who performed the four-hour operation, remains optimistic. "The function of the heart is normal, he's a strong man and we think he's going to do very well long-term."

Reeves is the NFL's winningest active coach and eighth among all coaches with a record of 160-117-1. He was a three-time AFC coach of the year during his 12 years in Denver, taking the Broncos to three Super Bowls during the 1980s.

He is in his second year with Atlanta. The Falcons have won 18 of their last 22 games after years of mediocrity, including a 3-13 finish the year before Reeves arrived.