New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton apologized for his behavior during a Dec. 7 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Payton lost his composure during the contest, running onto the field aggressively toward an official, and subsequently made a choking gesture directed at Falcons running back Devonta Freeman.
After being afforded time to reflect, Payton apologized for his actions.
"Listen, the mistake I made that night was letting my emotions get the best of me," Payton said via Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune. "It's the same thing that we talk about with our players all of the time. It wasn't good, and I felt like as that game went on, it even affected me in calling plays.
"I've got to (be) better that way. It was frustrating from some of the officiating, but you learn even when you've been in this thing as long as I have. It's something that you regret and you look back on - 'What are you doing?' So, I think that's the thing that bugged me for the better part of the week."
The Saints lost 20-17 to the Falcons in that game but rebounded to defeat the New York Jets on Sunday. New Orleans is now tied for the NFC South lead at 10-4 with the Carolina Panthers.
New Orleans and Atlanta are still vying for playoff spots and the rivalry could reach white-hot proportions if both clubs square off in the postseason.
