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 backlash after dismissing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma as 'fake' during a podcast interview in 2025. Skattebo, a rookie with 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns before an ankle injury ended his season, called CTE an 'excuse' and made light of asthma, prompting widespread criticism. Both articles confirm the NFL’s acknowledgment of CTE’s link to football and studies showing high prevalence among former players. Skattebo later apologized on social media, clarifying his remarks were a 'tasteless joke' and not meant to minimize the seriousness of the conditions. His mother, who is asthmatic, added context, stating the comments were in jest. While both sources agree on the core event and Skattebo’s apology, discrepancies include the phrasing of his asthma remarks and the specific studies cited, along with the Giants’ lack of public response.
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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 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’s rookie season in 2025 with the Giants included 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns across eight games before an ankle injury ended his season
- 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, responded on social media, revealing she is asthmatic and clarifying the comments were in jest, mentioning her son had to 'run and get mom’s inhaler' frequently
- The article states Skattebo scored seven touchdowns in his rookie season before the ankle injury
- The article includes a direct quote from Skattebo’s apology: 'I recently did an interview and had a lapse in judgment, which resulted in me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Skattebo called asthma 'fake too' and said people should 'just breathe air', while Article 2 does not include the 'just breathe air' quote
- Article 1 mentions the Giants have not publicly commented on his remarks, but Article 2 does not address the team’s response
- Article 1 references 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 examined
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) ...