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 criticism 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 asthma a joke, prompting backlash due to the well-documented link between football and CTE and the seriousness of asthma. Both articles confirm his apology, stating the comments were a 'tasteless joke' not meant to downplay the conditions, and highlight his rookie season stats of 410 rushing yards and multiple touchdowns before an ankle injury ended it. While both sources agree on the core event and Skattebo’s apology, discrepancies exist in the study dates (2017 vs. 2023) and his touchdown count (five vs. seven), along with differing details about public responses and his mother’s clarification. The controversy underscores the tension between athlete humor and the serious health implications of conditions like CTE and asthma.
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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 highlights Skattebo’s 2025 rookie season stats as 410 rushing yards and seven touchdowns (not five) before an ankle injury ended it
- The article mentions Skattebo’s backlash came after a 2023 Boston University study (not 2017) found CTE in roughly 92% of former NFL players examined
- Skattebo’s mother, Becky Skattebo, replied to his apology post, sharing her personal experience with asthma and clarifying the comments were in jest
- The article emphasizes Skattebo’s popularity with Giants fans in his rookie season, noting he scored seven touchdowns (not five) before injury
- The article references a 2017 study (not 2023) finding CTE in 110 of 111 former NFL players
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 cites a 2023 Boston University study finding CTE in roughly 92% of former NFL players, while Article 2 references a 2017 study with 110 of 111 players affected
- Article 1 does not mention Skattebo’s mother’s response to his apology, while Article 2 includes her personal anecdote about asthma and clarifies the joke
- Article 1 omits the Giants’ lack of public comment on the remarks, while Article 2 does not mention this detail
- Article 1 describes Skattebo’s backlash as occurring after a 2023 study, while Article 2 ties it to a 2017 study
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) ...