Cam Skattebo gave New York Giants supporters a scare on Saturday after taking an unnecessary risk with his body just weeks before the NFL season is set to begin.
The 24-year-old running back is pushing to be back on the field in September, but his latest stunt briefly looked as though it could threaten those plans.
Skattebo, whose rookie campaign was derailed by injury last year, was among the athletes and celebrities in attendance at Fanatics Fest in New York over the weekend.
During the event, he decided to channel WWE legend Triple H, making his entrance to Motörhead’s iconic theme song, “The Game.”
But the Giants back did not stop at simply recreating the wrestling-style walkout, adding a risky flourish of his own at the end.
NFL star Cam Skattebo alarmed New York Giants fans after attempting a backflip on stage
Skattebo tried to pull off a backflip, a move that has become something of a trademark for him during football celebrations.
This time, however, the landing went wrong. He slipped backward as he came down, with his surgically repaired right leg appearing to twist awkwardly during the fall.
The failed acrobatics left Giants fans with their hearts in their mouths as they sweated over the fitness of their star.
‘I can’t even imagine John Harbaugh’s reaction to seeing this LOL,’ one fan wrote referring to the Giants’ new head coach.
‘Honestly, this guy might be the dumbest NFL player to ever live.. including Antonio Brown,’ another claimed.
A third wrote: ‘A continuation on the IR. Who is his handler – we need this guy on the field not replacing his ACL..’
‘The backflip was cool… but I just know Harbaugh was screaming “GET DOWN!” the entire time,’ another shared.
‘Dude just went through surgery and everything just to flip and tear his s*** up again,’ a fifth bemoaned.
The running back suffered a broken right fibula and dislocated right ankle against the Eagles
The 24-year-old had been enjoying an impressive rookie season before his injury last year
‘He’s still carrying excess weight and totally misjudged the flip. The boy is daft, but we all knew that already really,’ added a sixth.
Skattebo was enjoying a fine rookie season until he suffered a broken right fibula and dislocated right ankle against the Philadelphia Eagles in October.
He went under the knife and has been in rehab ever since and is targeting a return in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
It wasn’t the first time that he has flirted with disaster during the offseason. Back in May, during an appearance in the Brian Burns Celebrity Softball Game he scored a home run and then celebrated with a backflip.
That time, Skattebo landed the acrobatics without a hitch but the celebration left fans divided with some taking it as proof that the running back’s recovery is on track.
It is not the first time Skattebo has hit the headlines while sidelined. Just weeks after his surgery, he made a WWE cameo at Madison Square Garden, prompting more concern over his health.
Earlier this year, meanwhile, he was forced to apologize after claiming that CTE is not real. Skattebo sparked fury with his baseless comments about CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) on the ‘Bring The Juice’ podcast.
The neurodegenerative brain disease, which is believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head, has been found in 345 of 376 deceased NFL players.
Skattebo has been no stranger to making headlines while sidelined with injury
But when the Giants running back was asked if he believes it is real, he said: ‘No, [CTE] is an excuse.’ Skattebo also went on to dismiss the medical reality of asthma, calling the breathing disease ‘fake.’
After coming under fire over his comments, the 24-year-old took to Instagram to issue an apology.
‘I recently did an interview and had a lapse in judgement, which resulted in me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma. It was never my intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries and asthma,’ Skattebo wrote on his story.
‘I sincerely apologize to anyone that was offended by my remarks, and I assure you that I’ll be more mindful and respectful going forward. MUCH LOVE!!!’
