- Cam Skattebo claimed CTE is “an excuse” and asthma is “fake” on a podcast, telling asthmatics to “just breathe air”.
- The Giants running back issued a public apology calling his remarks a “tasteless joke” resulting from a “lapse in judgment”.
- His mother defended him on social media, explaining his sarcasm stemmed from childhood experiences fetching her inhaler.
- The son of Hall of Famer Mike Webster urged Skattebo to understand how CTE destroys lives and to “be better” in the future.
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo found himself in hot water after dismissing chronic traumatic encephalopathy and asthma as fake during a podcast appearance. The 24 year old quickly issued a public apology, admitting he had a “lapse in judgment” and calling his remarks a “tasteless joke.”
The controversy erupted just days ago, forcing the rising NFL star to walk back comments that drew ire from fans, medical experts, and even the son of a Hall of Fame legend.
Appearing on the Bring the Juice podcast with host Frank Dalena, the conversation took a controversial turn when asked if CTE is real. Cam Skattebo responded by shaking his head and stating, “No, it’s an excuse.” The discussion then shifted to asthma, with the host suggesting it was also an excuse. Skattebo agreed, calling it “a good take” and declaring “asthma’s fake.” He further trivialized the respiratory condition by adding, “Just literally breathe air.”
#Giants RB Cam Skattebo apologizes for comments https://t.co/XhhL6k23Gy pic.twitter.com/RTqfIod94A
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 22, 2026
The remarks contradicted overwhelming scientific consensus. A 2023 Boston University study found evidence of CTE in roughly 92 percent of former NFL players whose brains were examined, while asthma affects more than 28 million people in the United States alone.
Cam Skattebo’s Full Apology Statement
Following the swift backlash, Skattebo took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to issue a formal apology. “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. He emphasized that it was never his intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma, offering a sincere apology to anyone offended. He closed with a promise to be “more mindful and respectful going forward.”
The apology was posted on March 21, just a day after the podcast clip began circulating widely online. In his statement, Skattebo acknowledged the gravity of the situation without making excuses for his initial comments.
I recently did an interview and had a lapse in judgment, which resulted in me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma. 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…
— cameron skattebo (@camskattebo5) March 21, 2026
What Sparked the Cam Skattebo CTE Controversy
The controversy ignited when a clip from the Bring the Juice podcast went viral over the weekend, showing the Giants running back casually dismissing a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. Given Skattebo’s reputation for a physical, head‑first running style, many listeners initially believed he was being serious rather than sarcastic. His history of viral moments, including a pregame ritual of banging his head into a brick wall at Arizona State, added fuel to the fire.
The timing was particularly sensitive, as the NFL has spent years trying to address player safety following the posthumous CTE diagnoses of legends like Junior Seau and Aaron Hernandez. Skattebo’s remarks seemed to dismiss those very real struggles, prompting immediate calls for accountability.
Public Reaction to Cam Skattebo’s CTE Remarks
The public reaction was swift and fierce, though not entirely without sympathy. Among the most poignant responses came from Garrett Webster, the son of late Pittsburgh Steelers legend Mike Webster, who suffered from CTE. “Mr Skattebo, my father was Mike Webster … Please understand CTE has destroyed the lives of many former players and their families. Be better in the future,” he wrote on X.
In a surprising turn, the player’s mother, Becky Skattebo, came to his defense. Revealing that she suffers from asthma, she explained that her son’s sarcasm came from years of having to “run and get mom’s inhaler.” She noted that people were bound to “spin something sooner or later in a direction it was never intended to go.” Despite the familial defense, the incident served as a reminder of the need for accountability within the Giants organization under new head coach John Harbaugh.
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Last Updated on March 23, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
