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New York Cosmos assistant coach Alecko Eskandarian lashed out Saturday at Robert Kurtzke, the doctor who resigned earlier in the day from his position as the NFL's independent neurologist in the wake of Robert Griffin III concussion treatment controversy.
I have just read that the neurologist involved in the RG3 concussion fiasco is Dr. Kurtzke...
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
I cannot tell you how much pent up anger I have towards this man, as he is the same doc who nearly caused me brain damage and maybe worse...
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
10 years ago when I suffered a Grade 3 concussion that took me a year to recover from, Dr. Kurtzke suggested to "just keep taking Tylenol".
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
The fact that this quack still works w/ high profiled athletes is A JOKE. This man put my life at risk and is a name I will never forget.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
Eskandarian claims that he was treated 10 years ago by Kurtzke, and that Kurtzke failed to properly treat Eskandarian's Grade 3 concussion at that time. Eskandarian writes that he was cleared for play just days after the concussion and advised to "just keep taking Tylenol," and that he suffered from the effects of the concussion for a year. At the time, Eskandarian was a forward with D.C. United, where he played from 2003 to 2006.
When I explained that taking painkillers and continuing to play w/ bad symptoms didn't seem smart, he asked me who the doctor was...
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
I've never had a doctor be so condescending while spewing BS. But I wanted to play, and he told me I was fine to play. So I played...
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
After practice that week my headaches + pressure in my head got so bad, I swerved behind the wheel + had to pull over. I knew I wasn't OK...
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
Anyone that has followed me on social media knows I HATE talking about my struggle w/ this. But reading this man's name just hit a nerve...
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015
Kurtzke resigned from his position with the NFL following the controversy that has surrounded the treatment of Robert Griffin III, who suffered a concussion last month. Griffin was initially cleared for play by Kurtzke, who then reversed his decision one day later.
Days later, Eskandarian retracted his accusations, realizing he'd made an error:
IMPORTANT: It's been brought to my attention the neurologist who evaluated me 10 yrs ago was a partner of Dr. Kurtzke, but NOT Dr. Kurtzke.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 8, 2015
They worked out of the same practice and office so it makes sense that I could have mistakenly identified the actual doc who evaluated me.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 8, 2015
However, my story was 100% real and honest. And the intention was to share a personal experience about the realities pro athletes can face.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 8, 2015
With that said, I'll be the first to raise my hand if I mistakenly identified Dr. Kurtzky and extend my apologies. Hope we all can move on.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 8, 2015
I know my appointment was made in the office of Dr. Kurtzke, but obviously there are other neurologists who work there as well.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 8, 2015
What's most important to me is that awareness is raised about how some concussion cases are handled. And that needs to change.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 8, 2015