NFL player Cam Skattebo’s controversial denial of CTE and asthma legitimacy sparks backlash and apology
Consensus Summary
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo faced widespread backlash after dismissing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma as 'fake' during a podcast interview in 2025. Skattebo, a rookie drafted in 2025, called CTE an 'excuse' and suggested asthma sufferers should 'just breathe air,' sparking criticism given the scientific consensus on both conditions. CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, has been confirmed in nearly all studied former NFL players, while asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions. Skattebo later apologized on social media, claiming his remarks were a 'tasteless joke' and not meant to downplay the seriousness of the conditions. His mother, who is asthmatic, defended his apology, clarifying the comments were in jest. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate around head injuries in football and the importance of public awareness about serious health conditions.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Cam Skattebo, a 24-year-old New York Giants running back, dismissed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as an 'excuse' during a Bring the Juice podcast in 2025
- Skattebo also called asthma 'fake' and suggested people should 'just breathe air' during the same interview
- CTE is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, marked by abnormal tau protein buildup and symptoms like cognitive decline, mood changes, and dementia
- CTE can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously, with studies like the 2017 Boston University research finding evidence in 110 of 111 former NFL players examined
- The NFL acknowledged a link between football and CTE in 2016
- Skattebo was a fourth-round draft pick out of Arizona State in the 2025 NFL draft and finished his rookie season with 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns in eight games before an ankle injury ended it
- Skattebo apologized on X (Twitter) for his comments, calling them a 'tasteless joke' and stating he did not intend to downplay the seriousness of the conditions
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The article includes a 2023 Boston University study finding CTE in roughly 92% of former NFL players whose brains were examined
- Mentions specific former NFL players with confirmed CTE diagnoses: Junior Seau and Aaron Hernandez
- States Skattebo’s rookie season included 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns in eight games, with an ankle injury ending it early
- Notes the Giants have not publicly commented on Skattebo’s remarks
- Includes Skattebo’s mother, Becky Skattebo, replying to his apology post, revealing she is asthmatic and clarifying the comments were in jest
- Highlights Skattebo’s popularity among Giants fans in his rookie season, noting he scored seven touchdowns and ran for 410 yards before injury
- Specifically cites a 2017 study finding CTE in 110 of 111 former football players examined
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Skattebo finished his rookie season with 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Article 2 states he scored seven touchdowns
- Article 1 references a 2023 Boston University study finding CTE in roughly 92% of former NFL players, while Article 2 cites a 2017 study with 110 of 111 players affected
- Article 1 does not mention Skattebo’s mother’s response or her asthma, while Article 2 includes this detail
Source Articles
Giants’ Cam Skattebo says his denial of CTE and asthma were part of a ‘tasteless joke’
Running back retracts comments he gave on podcast Player’s mother says she is asthmatic New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has apologized for saying that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) ...
‘It’s an excuse’: New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo says CTE and asthma are ‘fake’
Skattebo calls CTE and asthma ‘fake’ on podcast Comments draw backlash citing medical consensus Giants have not publicly responded to remarks New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo is facing backla...