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 with 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns before an ankle injury ended his season, called CTE an 'excuse' and suggested asthma sufferers 'just breathe air.' Both conditions are medically recognized—CTE linked to repeated head trauma in NFL players, with studies like the 2017 Boston University research showing near-universal prevalence among former players, while asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions. Skattebo later apologized on social media, claiming his remarks were a 'tasteless joke' and not meant to minimize the seriousness of the conditions. His mother, who is asthmatic, defended his comments as sarcastic, 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 in phrasing and emphasize distinct details, such as the Giants’ lack of response or the specific studies cited.
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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 was a fourth-round draft pick (2025) from 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, stating she is asthmatic and shared a personal anecdote about her son needing her inhaler, implying the comments were sarcastic
- The article clarifies Skattebo scored seven touchdowns in his rookie season before the ankle injury
- The article emphasizes Skattebo’s mother’s response was supportive, stating 'you’ll never make everyone happy' and 'people are bound to spin something sooner or later'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Skattebo called asthma 'fake too' and dismissed it as an excuse, while Article 2 does not explicitly repeat this phrasing in the same way
- Article 1 mentions the Giants have not publicly commented on the remarks, but Article 2 does not address this point
- Article 1 references a 2023 study (92% CTE prevalence) while Article 2 references a 2017 study (110/111 prevalence) without clarifying which is the primary source
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) ...