New York Giants player apologizes for ‘tasteless joke’ about asthma and CTE

22 Mar 2026 • 10:45 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo faced backlash after claiming on a podcast that Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma are fake.
  • During an appearance on the Bring The Juice podcast, Skattbo stated that CTE is “an excuse” and that asthma is also “fake,” suggesting people “just literally breathe air.”
  • The brief clip of his comments went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism and ridicule from numerous users.
  • Skattbo subsequently issued an apology on X, clarifying that he had a “lapse in judgment” and made a “tasteless joke,” assuring he did not intend to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma.
  • A study from Boston University found signs of CTE in about 92 percent of ex-NFL players whose brains were analyzed.

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