New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has come under fire after making dismissive comments about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma during a recent podcast appearance. The 24-year-old athlete quickly issued a public apology, admitting to a “lapse in judgment” and labeling his remarks as a “tasteless joke.”

The incident has sparked a significant backlash, with fans, medical experts, and even the offspring of a Hall of Fame icon expressing their disapproval.

During his appearance on the “Bring the Juice” podcast with host Frank Dalena, Skattebo faced a controversial question regarding the legitimacy of CTE. He shook his head and claimed, “No, it’s an excuse.” The conversation then veered into asthma, where the host suggested it was also merely an excuse. Skattebo concurred, describing it as “a good take” and asserting, “asthma’s fake.” He further trivialized the condition by advising, “Just literally breathe air.”

These comments stand in stark contrast to well-established scientific research. According to a 2023 study by Boston University, evidence of CTE was found in approximately 92 percent of former NFL players whose brains were studied. Meanwhile, asthma affects over 28 million individuals in the U.S. alone.

In response to the swift backlash, Skattebo addressed the issue on X, a platform formerly known as Twitter, to offer 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 stated. He stressed that he never intended to minimize the seriousness of head injuries or asthma and extended a heartfelt apology to those he offended. Skattebo concluded with a commitment to being “more mindful and respectful going forward.”

Skattebo issued his apology on March 21, just a day after the podcast clip began to circulate widely online. In his statement, he acknowledged the severity of the situation without attempting to justify his initial remarks.

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.