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Rams coach Martz takes leave due to heart problems

Posted on: Monday, 10 October 2005, 21:09 CDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mike Martz has taken an indefinite leave of absence from coaching the St Louis Rams due to a debilitating heart condition, the NFC West team said on Monday.

The 54-year-old has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection of the heart, a condition that has worsened in the past few days, according to his doctors.

Rams president John Shaw said Martz will spend four to 12 days in the hospital after having coached the 2-3 Rams in their 37-31 loss to Seattle on Sunday, a game the coach admitted he should not have attended.

"I think he was concerned that he was letting down a lot of people, but also had concern about the gravity of the situation," Shaw said.

No timeframe was established for Martz's return and the team refused to speculate on the severity of his illness.

Martz told the players of his leave in a short meeting on Monday. Assistant Joe Vitt will take over coaching duties in Martz's absence.

Source: REUTERS

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