New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has issued a public apology after facing intense backlash for claiming chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is “an excuse” and asthma is “fake” during a recent podcast appearance, comments that directly contradict established medical science and the NFL’s own safety initiatives.
Skattebo backtracks after backlash
Facing growing criticism, Skattebo took to social media to walk back his controversial remarks from the “Bring the Juice” podcast, calling them a “lapse in judgment” and a “tasteless joke.” His statement acknowledged he never intended to “downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma” and promised to be “more mindful and respectful going forward.”
Dangerous claims spark outrage
During the March 9 interview, Skattebo agreed with host Frank Delana’s suggestion that both CTE—a neurodegenerative disease linked to repetitive head trauma found in nearly 92% of former NFL players studied—and asthma, which affects 1 in 12 Americans, were merely “excuses.” The comments drew immediate fire for undermining player safety advocacy and disregarding widespread medical evidence.
Apology leaves questions unanswered
While Skattebo’s apology addressed the offense caused, it didn’t clarify whether the original comments were meant seriously or as failed humor. The controversy puts the Giants organization in an awkward position as the league continues promoting concussion protocols and safety research, particularly concerning a player known for his violently physical playing style that ironically makes him high-risk for the very injuries he dismissed.