Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who is the team doctor for both the L.A. Rams and L.A. Dodgers, is under investigation by Major League Baseball after allegedly supporting the use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs to UFC star Conor McGregor. New York Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt broke the story on Thursday and says that the NFL has yet to comment on the allegations against Dr. ElAttrache.
For now, the only allegations being made relate to McGregor and ElAttrache’s recommendation to see a doctor in 2021 who
prescribed him banned drugs:
McGregor broke both bones in his lower left leg during a U.F.C. bout in 2021. The New York Times reported Thursday that after Dr. ElAttrache oversaw surgery to repair the damage, he sent McGregor to a specialist who prescribed banned drugs.
“I purposely wasn’t involved with his evaluation by the consultant nor with prescribing medication,” Dr. ElAttrache told The Times. He said the “expert opinions” McGregor received showed “he could optimize his chance of solid union and healing of his fractures.”
Obviously the validity of these accusations and the findings of any investigation into ElAttrache’s recommendations to athletes to use PEDs would be of great importance to the Rams.
ElAttrache has one of the most high-profile, stellar reputations among sports doctors, with a career that spans at least two decades on the L.A. Rams. He has worked on everyone from Shohei Ohtani to Arnold Schwarzenegger and is “best friends” with Tom Brady. These allegations by the New York Times would shake the foundations of any relationship between ElAttrache and a high-profile athlete.
How this story plays out will not only impact how L.A. moves forward with their association to Dr. ElAttrache, but also put into question every association he has had in the past. As the Rams move forward with Myles Garrett and potentially the return of Aaron Donald, their ability to operate without a cloud hanging over their moves ahead could change based on these accusations.
