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.' Both conditions are medically recognized—CTE linked to repeated head trauma in NFL players and asthma a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions. Skattebo later apologized on social media, stating his comments were a 'tasteless joke' and not meant to minimize the seriousness of the conditions. His mother, who is asthmatic, defended his apology, sharing personal anecdotes about her son’s experiences with her inhaler. While both articles agree on the core controversy and Skattebo’s apology, they differ slightly on the specifics of the studies cited and the framing of his intent.
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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' 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 (formerly 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 references a 2023 Boston University study finding CTE in roughly 92% of former NFL players examined
- The article highlights Skattebo’s physical running style made him popular with Giants fans in his rookie season
- Skattebo’s mother, Becky Skattebo, replied to his apology post, revealing she is asthmatic and shared personal anecdotes about her son’s experiences with her inhaler ('run and get mom’s inhaler')
- The article emphasizes Skattebo’s popularity with Giants fans in his rookie season, noting he scored seven touchdowns and ran for 410 yards before his injury
- The article includes a direct quote from Skattebo’s apology: 'It was never my intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Skattebo called CTE an 'excuse' and asthma 'fake' without specifying intent, while Article 2 clarifies he later claimed these were 'tasteless jokes' not meant seriously
- Article 1 mentions a 2023 study finding CTE in 'roughly 92%' of former NFL players, while Article 2 cites a 2017 study finding CTE in 110 of 111 players (100%)
- Article 1 does not mention Skattebo’s mother’s response or her personal experience with asthma, which Article 2 includes as part of the apology context
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) ...