Former MLSer Unloads on Neurologist Who Resigned After RGIII Concussion Saga [UPDATE]

Alecko Eskandarian played in 125 games over the course of a seven-year MLS career for D.C. United and the L.A. Galaxy among others. He had a history of concussions and was eventually forced to retire after a ball hit him in the face with such force it broke his nose and gave him another concussion. Earlier in his career, Eskandarian suffered a concussion after getting kneed in the head by New England goalkeeper Matt Reis as they both went after a ball in the penalty.

Eskandarian experienced severe symptoms following the run in, including "intense, five-second migraines as much as 20 times per day after a workout." On Twitter, he explained some more about his treatment following the concussion, and his dealings with neurologist Dr. Robert N. Kurtzke [Update: Eskandarian updated his account, which you can find below, saying it was an associate of Kurtzke working in the same practice who actually treated him], who is the same neurologist at the center of the weird concussion saga with Washington's Robert Griffin III.

After RGIII was concussed during a preseason game against the Lions, Kurtzke initially cleared him to play, and then changed his mind the next day. It created a shittier show than usual in Washington and it was announced today that he resigned from the neurological consultant program run by the league and the NFLPA. Although it created confusion for Washington, reversing his decision to clear RGIII to play was probably the right call, but that initial decision, coupled with this resignation, is curious.

Put together with Eskandarian's claims in the tweets below and it paints a picture of a doctor who perhaps might not have his patients' best interests in mind.

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

He cleared me to play just days after. So I began practicing w/ headaches + what felt like a 5 lb weight in my head. https://t.co/IoKlIL2L52
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015

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

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

Not true… When I finally saw a new neurologist he immediately shut me down indefinitely based on my symptoms. https://t.co/IQO1b88wVp
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) September 5, 2015

UPDATE It seems Eskandarian was confused about who was treating him during his time with United. Earlier today on Twitter, he said he'd just been informed that it was not Kurtzke, specifically, who treated him, but another physician with whom Kurtzke shared a practice.

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