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, made the remarks on the Bring the Juice podcast, calling CTE an 'excuse' and suggesting asthma sufferers 'just breathe air.' His comments drew criticism given the scientific consensus on both conditions, with studies showing CTE in nearly all examined former NFL players and asthma being a life-threatening respiratory disease. Skattebo later apologized on social media, claiming his remarks were a 'tasteless joke' and not intended to downplay the seriousness of the issues. His mother, who is asthmatic, responded to his apology, sharing personal anecdotes to explain the sarcasm behind his comments. Skattebo’s rookie season was notable for his physical running style, though an ankle injury ended it early after eight games. While both articles agree on the core controversy, discrepancies exist in his touchdown totals (five vs. seven) and the inclusion of his mother’s response in one source but not the other.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
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' and asthma as 'fake' during a Bring the Juice podcast appearance in 2025
- CTE is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, marked by abnormal tau protein buildup and symptoms including cognitive decline, mood changes, and dementia, with definitive diagnosis only possible posthumously
- A 2017 Boston University study found CTE in 110 of 111 former NFL players examined, and the NFL acknowledged a link between football and CTE in 2016
- Skattebo was a fourth-round NFL draft pick (2025) out of Arizona State 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, stating they were a 'tasteless joke' and not meant to downplay the seriousness of the conditions
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Skattebo added during the podcast that people should 'just breathe air' regarding asthma
- The article notes the Giants have not publicly commented on his remarks
- The article highlights Skattebo’s 2025 rookie season stats as 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns in eight games, with an ankle injury ending the season early
- The article mentions Skattebo’s physical running style made him popular with Giants fans in his rookie season
- Skattebo’s mother, Becky Skattebo, responded to his apology post, revealing she is asthmatic and shared a personal anecdote about her son needing her inhaler, framing his comments as sarcastic
- The article clarifies Skattebo scored seven touchdowns in his rookie season (not five, as mentioned in Article 1)
- The article emphasizes Skattebo’s popularity with Giants fans due to his 'physical running style' in his rookie season
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Skattebo finished his rookie season with five touchdowns, while Article 2 states he scored seven touchdowns
- Article 1 does not mention Skattebo’s mother’s response or her personal anecdote about asthma, which Article 2 includes
- Article 1 does not reference Skattebo’s rookie season being highlighted for his 'physical running style,' which both articles mention but Article 2 elaborates on his mother’s context for the joke
Source Articles
‘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...
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) ...