Cam Skattebo’s Mom Stands Up for Him After Controversial Joke About CTE and Asthma

New York Giants Running Back Cam Skattebo Faces Backlash Over CTE Comments

Becky Skattebo, mother of New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, is defending her son after he faced criticism for making controversial remarks about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma. Following his comments, which he later described as a “joke,” Skattebo issued an apology, stating it was never his intention to downplay the severity of these medical conditions.

In a message shared via X on March 21, Skattebo acknowledged his lapse in judgment. "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. "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."

Becky Skattebo, who herself suffers from asthma, emphasized her son’s sarcasm in the remarks. "If only people knew how many times Cam had to ‘run and get mom’s inhaler’ they’d realize the sarcasm," she tweeted. "You’ll never make everyone happy… people are bound to spin something sooner or later in a direction it was never intended to go."

Skattebo’s original comments arose during a March appearance on the "Bring the Juice" podcast. When asked about the reality of CTE, he stated, "No, it’s an excuse." He further echoed host Frank Delana, who claimed that asthma is also an excuse, saying, "Yeah, just literally breathe air."

CTE is a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. Asthma, defined as a condition that narrows and swells the airways, can significantly impair breathing and currently has no known cure.

Following the backlash, Skattebo has expressed remorse and a commitment to being more conscientious in the future. Earlier this month, he was also in the news for sustaining a gruesome ankle injury during his rookie season with the Giants, prompting surgery and a focus on recovery.

As he prepares for the upcoming 2026-2027 NFL season, Skattebo emphasized that his recovery is progressing well. "I feel absolutely terrible for the young man," said Giants head coach Brian Daboll during a press conference regarding Skattebo’s injury. "Obviously, I saw it. It looked bad. You feel for anybody on your team that goes down and has a really bad injury."

Skattebo is hopeful to return for the start of the next season. "Hopefully, I’ll get back by OTAs," he said, expressing a commitment to his rehabilitation process.