New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo is facing backlash after he claimed that Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and asthma are fake — remarks he has since apologized for.
During a recent appearance on the “Bring The Juice” podcast, the 24-year-old football player was asked whether he believes CTE, a degenerative brain disease, is “a real thing.”
“No, it’s an excuse,” Skattebo, who formerly played in college for Sacramento State and Arizona State, said.
The host, Frank Dalena, then asked whether asthma is also an excuse.
“No, that's a good take,” Skattebo replied. “Yes, asthma’s fake…yeah just literally breathe air.”
The brief clip was shared widely on social media, drawing millions of views and sparking ridicule from a number of commenters.
“Talk about ignorance,” wrote one X user, while another chimed in: “I think that's the CTE talking.”
Still, some argued that the player’s comments should not be scrutinized too closely.
“He's a good running back, Not a doctor,” wrote one user who came to Skattebo’s defense. “You guys need to calm down.”
After his comments drew a strong reaction, Skattebo clarified his stance and offered an apology on Saturday night.
“I recently did an interview and had a lapse in judgment, which resulted in me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma,” he wrote on X. “It was never my intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma. I sincerely apologize to anyone that was offended by my remarks, and I assure you that I’ll be more mindful and respectful going forward.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE causes brain nerve cells to die and gradually worsens over time. The condition remains poorly understood and can only be confirmed after death through an autopsy.
It’s been detected in a number of former football players, including Aaron Hernandez, a New England Patriots tight end who was arrested for murder in 2013 and later died by suicide in prison.
A study from Boston University found signs of CTE in about 92 percent of ex-NFL players whose brains were analyzed. In 2016, the NFL’s health and safety officer acknowledged there is a link between CTE and football-related trauma. His comments came one year after the release of the film “Concussion,” in which Will Smith played a forensic pathologist studying CTE in the NFL.
Asthma, meanwhile, is a condition that causes a person’s airways to narrow, making breathing difficult, according to the Mayo Clinic. Millions of people worldwide suffer from it.
Skattebo, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, emerged as a key player on the Giants’ offense, running for 410 yards and scoring five touchdowns that year. His season came to an early close due to an ankle injury.
Neither he nor the Giants has publicly addressed his recent comments.
Iran say USA should be banned from World Cup 2026 after latest Trump claims
Father of modern cheerleading dies after falling while playing pickleball: report
Cade Cunningham suffers collapsed lung in major blow to Detroit Pistons
Pittsburgh schools to go remote due to number of fans in town for NFL draft
Venezuela stuns US to win historic World Baseball Classic title
NASCAR driver Daniel Dye suspended over homophobic mockery of colleague
