Who is Dr Neal ElAttrache? Aaron Rodgers calls his surgeon the GOAT
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Aaron Rodgers acknowledged the success of his Achilles tendon surgery and extended his appreciation to the renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr Neal ElAttrache, and his dedicated team.
The 39-year-old athlete shared an update Thursday night, September 14, with his fans and well-wishers through an Instagram story, expressing gratitude for outpouring love and support.
“Surgery went great yesterday,” Rodgers wrote. “Thank you for all the love and prayers and support. And thanks to the [GOAT] Dr ElAttrache and his staff for starting me on the road to recovery.”
Dr Neal ElAttrache is a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon based in Los Angeles, renowned for his expertise in treating injured athletes. He has an impressive track record of working with prominent athletes from various sports disciplines.
One of his notable cases involved performing surgery on Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback, when Brady suffered a severe injury to his left ACL and MCL during the 2008 season's opening game.
Dr ElAttrache holds several esteemed positions within the medical community, underscoring his significance in the field of sports medicine.
He serves as a member of the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute Board of Directors and plays a pivotal role as the Co-Chair of Medical Affairs at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute.
Additionally, he serves as the Chairman of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Foundation and holds the position of Head Team Physician for the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dr ElAttrache's specialization lies in the treatment and research of knee, shoulder, and elbow injuries. His expertise has earned him recognition as one of the "Top 50 Most Powerful People in LA Sports" by the LA Daily News and as one of "The 100 Most Powerful People in MLB" by USA Today.
What happened to Aaron Rodgers?
The veteran quarterback for the New York Jets recently embarked on his journey toward recovery after undergoing surgery for a torn left Achilles tendon.
Rodgers' unfortunate injury occurred during the Jets' season opener on "Monday Night Football" against the Buffalo Bills. In a cruel twist of fate, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon just four plays into his Jets career, effectively ending his season.
This abrupt halt to a season filled with high hopes and expectations for the Jets, who had acquired the four-time MVP quarterback, was a significant blow to the team and its fans.
The injury took place during a seemingly routine sack by Buffalo Bills pass rusher Leonard Floyd. However, upon reviewing the play, it became evident that something in Rodgers' calf had given way as his leg bent toward the field.
On Wednesday following his surgery, September 13, Rodgers took to Instagram to publicly address his injury and express his determination to overcome this setback.
“Thank you to every person that has reached out, called, texted, DM’d, connected through a friend, etc. It has meant a ton to me, and I’ll try and get back to all of you soon,” Rodgers posted on his Instagram.
He added, “I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today."
Rodgers concluded his post with a message of resilience, declaring, "The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again."
The response to Rodgers' message was overwhelming, with teammates, fellow athletes, and public figures sending him their well wishes. Although he did not definitively confirm his return to the field, Rodgers hinted at the possibility in his Wednesday post.
Will Aaron Rodgers make a comeback?
Jets' head coach Robert Saleh echoed this sentiment, expressing his belief that Rodgers would not retire without attempting a comeback.
“I haven’t gone down that road with him, but I’d be shocked if this is the way he’s gonna go out,” Saleh stated before practice Wednesday in Florham Park. "He's working through a whole lot of things he needs to deal with. That will be the last thing talk to him about," the coach added.
Nathaniel Hackett, the Jets' offensive coordinator and a close friend of Rodgers, shared this optimism, stating that when Rodgers sets his mind on a goal, it's a formidable force. “Oh, yeah,” Hackett said. “Whenever Aaron has his mind set on something, good luck to anyone that wants to change his mind.”
The injury naturally prompted speculation about the Jets' strategy to fill the void left by their star quarterback. However, reports emerged on Wednesday suggesting that neither Tom Brady nor Colin Kaepernick would step in as replacements.
Instead, the Jets are focused on finding a quarterback familiar with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's system.
Coach Saleh has consistently shown confidence in Zach Wilson, who will continue as the starting quarterback for the Jets. The upcoming Jets game against the Dallas Cowboys will see Zach Wilson take the reins as the starting quarterback, reaffirming the team's commitment to their young talent.