New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has apologised after claiming that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma are not real, describing his comments as a 'tasteless joke'. The 24-year-old made the remarks during an appearance on the Bring the Juice podcast, where he dismissed CTE as an 'excuse' and said asthma was 'fake', adding that people should 'just breathe air'.
Following widespread backlash, Skattebo issued a retraction on social media on Saturday. '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 apologise to anyone that was offended by my remarks, and I assure you that I’ll be more mindful and respectful going forward.'
CTE, a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, was found in 110 of 111 former football players in a 2017 study. The condition, which can cause mood swings, depression, suicidal thoughts and memory loss, can only be diagnosed post-mortem. The NFL acknowledged a link between football and CTE in 2016. Asthma, which affects hundreds of millions globally, can be fatal in severe cases.
Skattebo's mother, Becky, defended her son, noting that his comments were sarcastic. 'If only people knew how many times cam had to “run and get mom’s inhaler” they’d realise the sarcasm,' she wrote in reply to his post. 'You’ll never make everyone happy and you’ll never say all the right things and people are bound to spin something sooner or later in a direction it was never intended to go.'
Skattebo was a popular figure with Giants fans during his rookie season in 2025, known for his physical running style. He scored seven touchdowns and ran for 410 yards before an ankle injury ended his campaign.
