Brian Urlacher evasive about reported knee procedure in Germany
By Sean Jensen sjensen@suntimes.com August 22, 2012 9:00AM
Brian Urlacher's future with the Bears is still a question mark going into the 2013 season. | File
Updated: August 22, 2012 3:00PM
Brian Urlacher visited Germany back in May or June to consider the pioneering knee procedure that other elite American athletes have used or opted for a non-invasive treatment that he paid for himself, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.
The paper cited one source as saying Urlacher left sometime in May or early June to meet with a physician described as “that famous doctor everybody goes to,” while the other source said the player opted for “non-invasive treatment” that he paid for himself.
Asked if he went to Germany during that timetable, Urlacher said, “I didn’t think there were any quotes from me, or anybody else for that matter?
“I didn’t think so. It doesn’t matter what I did or haven’t done. This is where we’re at now, so that’s all that matters.”
Asked again if he went to Germany, Urlacher said, “I went to Europe last year.
“We played in London. So I was definitely in Europe last year.”
Bears coach Lovie Smith also declined to specifically address whether Urlacher underwent any procedure in Germany or traveled there.
“I know right now, Brian Urlacher is here, he’s getting healthy every day and I don’t see what else we need to talk about,” Smith said.
German doctor Peter Wehling’s Regenokine therapy has not been approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration.
Other top American athletes have undergone the procedure, which takes ones own blood, heats it up then injects it back into the problem area. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees are among the most famous to get it, not to mention the late Pope John Paul II.
