New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has issued an apology for his controversial statement downplaying the seriousness of two well-documented diseases, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma.
“I just did an interview and failed in judgment, which led to me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma,” Skattebo, 24, wrote on X on Saturday, March 21. “It was not my intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma.”
He continued, “I’m very sorry to anyone who was hurt by my words, and I assure you that I will be more reasonable and respectful going forward. Much love!!!”
Earlier this month, Skattebo was asked if he believed CTE was “a real thing.” (CTE is a degenerative brain disease that can be caused by repeated head trauma, according to Mayo Clinic.)
“No, it’s an excuse,” Skattebo said on the March episode of “Bring the Juice”. a podcastalso agreeing with the host Frank Delanahis opinion that asthma is likewise an excuse. Football continued, “That’s valid. Yes, it’s fake asthma.”
Asthma, per Mayo Clinica condition in which the airways narrow and swell which can make breathing extremely difficult, causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. There is no known cure.
Delana, on the other hand, made a joke about people with asthma.
“Is there anything worse than a person who huffs and puffs,” he laughed. “You’re just soft.”
Skattebo agreed, adding, “Yes, literally breathe.”
The girlfriend of New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has shown her support after suffering a gruesome season-ending injury. Chloe Rodriguez broke her social media silence on Monday, October 27, one day after Skattebo, 23, underwent surgery to repair a sprained ankle she suffered during the Giants’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October. […]
Skattebo was drafted by the Giants in April 2025, playing his rookie season with the team until he was strong. horrible ankle injury the following October.
“[I] I feel bad for the guy,” Giants coach Brian Daboll told reporters at the time. “Obviously I saw it. It looked bad. You feel sorry for anyone on your team who goes down and is seriously injured. And I feel, and I know the players feel the same way about Skat.”
The professional athlete underwent surgery to repair his dislocated ankle and is on the mend to prepare for the 2026-2027 NFL season.
“[My recovery is] about the program,” said Skattebo in January press conference for his progress. “I got another week until I started walking around, increasing the speed a little. [I] have plenty of time to come back to it.”
He also emphasized that getting to the team’s training camp in the summer was “obviously a goal.”
“Hopefully, [I’ll] come back with OTAs,” Skattebo said, referring to the NFL’s preseason voluntary process. “If not, there’s no rush to it.”
