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 with 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns, called CTE an 'excuse' and asthma a joke, prompting criticism given the scientific consensus on both conditions. Studies, including a 2017 Boston University research, have linked CTE to repeated head trauma in former NFL players, while asthma is a life-threatening 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 comments as sarcastic, sharing personal anecdotes about her son’s experiences with the condition. The Giants have remained silent on the controversy, and Skattebo’s popularity with fans during his brief 2025 season was noted in both reports.
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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 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, including seven touchdowns
- Skattebo’s mother, Becky Skattebo, replied to his apology post, stating she is asthmatic and shared a personal anecdote about her son needing her inhaler, framing his comments as sarcastic
- The article emphasizes Skattebo’s popularity with Giants fans in 2025, noting he scored seven touchdowns and ran for 410 yards before injury
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Skattebo called CTE an 'excuse' and asthma 'fake' without clarifying intent, while Article 2 explicitly states his comments were a 'tasteless joke' not meant seriously
- Article 1 cites a 2023 Boston University study finding CTE in 'roughly 92%' of former NFL players, while Article 2 references a 2017 study finding CTE in 110 of 111 players (100%)
- Article 1 does not mention Skattebo’s mother’s response or her personal anecdote about asthma, which is included in Article 2
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) ...