NFL player Cam Skattebo’s controversial denial of CTE and asthma legitimacy sparks backlash
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, who had a strong rookie season with seven touchdowns and 410 rushing yards before an ankle injury ended it, called CTE an 'excuse' and suggested asthma sufferers 'just breathe air.' His comments drew criticism given the scientific consensus on both conditions, with studies showing high prevalence of CTE among former NFL players and asthma affecting millions globally. Skattebo later apologized on social media, framing his remarks as a 'tasteless joke' and clarifying he did not intend to downplay the seriousness of the conditions. His mother defended his comments as sarcastic, sharing her own experience with asthma. While both articles agree on the core events and Skattebo’s apology, they differ slightly on study references, the Giants’ response, and the inclusion of personal anecdotes from his mother.
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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
- Skattebo’s comments included the statement 'Yeah, asthma’s fake too' and 'just breathe air'
- CTE is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, with symptoms including mood swings, depression, suicidal thoughts, and memory loss
- A 2017 study found CTE in 110 of 111 former football players examined, and the NFL acknowledged a link between football and CTE in 2016
- Skattebo scored seven touchdowns and ran for 410 yards in his rookie season (2025) before an ankle injury ended it
- Skattebo apologized on X (formerly Twitter) for his comments, calling them a 'tasteless joke' and stating he did not intend to downplay the seriousness of the conditions
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Skattebo’s mother, Becky Skattebo, replied to her son’s apology post, stating she is asthmatic and shared a personal anecdote about Cam needing her inhaler, framing his comments as sarcastic
- The article mentions Skattebo was a popular figure with Giants fans in his rookie season due to his physical running style
- The article includes a 2023 Boston University study finding evidence of CTE in roughly 92% of former NFL players whose brains were examined
- The article explicitly states the Giants have not publicly commented on Skattebo’s remarks
- The article highlights former NFL players Junior Seau and Aaron Hernandez as examples of CTE diagnoses posthumously
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Skattebo’s mother framed his comments as sarcastic with a personal anecdote, while Article 2 does not mention this detail
- Article 1 references a 2017 study finding CTE in 110 of 111 former players, whereas Article 2 cites a 2023 Boston University study with a 92% prevalence rate
- Article 1 does not mention the Giants’ lack of public comment on Skattebo’s remarks, which Article 2 explicitly states
- Article 1 includes a direct quote from Skattebo’s apology post on X, while Article 2 does not reproduce the apology text verbatim
- Article 1 notes Skattebo was a fourth-round pick out of Arizona State in 2025, but Article 2 does not specify the round of the draft
Source Articles
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) ...
‘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...