INDIANAPOLIS -- One week after tearing his Achilles tendon while chasing car thieves away from his home in the middle of the night, New Orleans Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt hoisted up a game ball.
The NFL coaching lifer was honored for coaching in his 600th career game after the Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 27-21 on Sunday.
.@SeanPayton gives Joe Vitt a game ball after the win! #Saints https://t.co/4zNGvdfWSB
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 26, 2015Vitt, however, did not escape without the friendly ribbing that he has also experienced throughout the week. Defensive end Cameron Jordan shared this selfie with Vitt being helped onto the team plane by offensive tackle Zach Strief and assistant coach Brian Young:
Vitt, 61, has coached in the NFL for 37 years, dating to his first job with the Baltimore Colts in 1978. He served as an interim head coach for the Saints during Sean Payton's suspension in 2012 and for the St. Louis Rams in 2005.
Vitt suffered the torn Achilles tendon and a broken wrist last week when he tripped and fell while chasing a man and woman away from his home early Saturday morning. According to authorities, Vitt spotted someone moving from his kitchen, then went outside to find a man and woman trying to break into his car and a neighbor's car.