‘it’s An Excuse’: New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo Says Cte And Asthma Are ‘fake’

New York Giants moving backmost Cam Skattebo is facing backlash aft dismissing some chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma arsenic “fake” during a caller podcast appearance.

Speaking connected nan Bring nan Juice podcast, nan 24-year-old was asked whether he believes CTE – a degenerative encephalon information linked to repeated caput trauma – is real. Skattebo called it an “excuse”, agreeing pinch nan big earlier making a akin declare astir asthma.

“Yeah, asthma’s clone too,” Skattebo said, adding astatine 1 constituent that group should “just respire air”.

The comments person drawn disapproval fixed nan technological statement astir some conditions.

CTE, aliases chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is simply a progressive neurological illness associated pinch repeated blows to nan head. It is marked by a buildup of abnormal tau macromolecule successful nan brain, which tin harm humor vessels and disrupt functions tied to memory, temper and impulse control. Symptoms tin see cognitive decline, behavioral changes and, successful precocious cases, dementia. The information tin only beryllium definitively diagnosed posthumously.

It has been identified successful galore erstwhile shot players aft their deaths, including Junior Seau and Aaron Hernandez. A 2023 Boston University study recovered grounds of CTE successful astir 92% of erstwhile NFL players whose brains were examined, while nan convention finally acknowledged a link betwixt shot and nan information successful 2016.

Asthma is simply a chronic respiratory illness that affects millions of Americans and tin beryllium life-threatening successful terrible cases.

Skattebo, a fourth-round prime retired of Arizona State successful nan 2025 NFL draft, emerged arsenic a cardinal contributor for nan Giants arsenic a rookie earlier his play ended early owed to an ankle injury. He vanished pinch 410 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns successful 8 games.

The Giants person not publically commented connected his remarks.