Cam Skattebo’s rookie year with the New York Giants was solid. The fourth round pick found the end zone seven times in just eight games for the struggling Giants’ offense, rushing for 410 yards on 101 carries while adding 207 receiving yards and two more receiving touchdowns.
But his season ended abruptly in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Throughout his recovery, he stayed active on social media, thanking the medical staff and documenting his progress. And by February, he was jogging again and told reporters he expected to be ready for training camp.
However, Skattebo’s recovery discussion took a back seat when he sarcastically labeled asthma as “fake,” calling sufferers “soft” and suggesting they should “just breathe air.” Then he issued a formal apology on March 21, after constant backlash describing his remarks as a “tasteless joke” and a “lapse in judgment.”
New York Giants Cam Skattebo
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) is carted off the field with a leg injury during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
But former Pittsburgh Steelers player James Harrison said Skataboe’s remarks about CTE were not 100% bogus.
James Harrison opens up about CTE fears following Cam Skattebo’s apology
James Harrison recently appeared on Deebo & Joe and Nightcap via video conference. After sharing his own struggle with memory loss, he backed up Skattebo’s perspective. He believes CTE is not some abstract concern for retired players, and it’s already showing up in Harrison’s own daily life.
“This is something that is 100% real. You know, I got to make sure I’m 100% aware and in play, especially with my kids,” Harrisonsaid. “I can’t tell, you know, sometimes I got to look back. I ain’t going to lie, Joe, my long-term memory is trash, too. Oh, for sure. I don’t know why, but it’s been trash.”
The undrafted linebacker from Kent State became a legendary pass-rusher during his NFL tenure. In 2008, he set a Steelers record with 16 sacks and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Throughout his 15-year career, he recorded 84.5 sacks, forced 34 fumbles, made five Pro Bowls, and won two Super Bowls. His 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII is still one of the most famous plays in league history.
When pressed about specific memories from his playing days, Harrison didn’t sugarcoat his memory loss moment.
“They was asking me some questions at the Super Bowl, NFL Films was asking me about playing, about the game against, I want to say it was Green Bay,” Harrison said. “I’m like, ‘Dude, I couldn’t tell you anything about the Super Bowl, like 2011 Green Bay.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, I don’t know. I don’t know what.'”
Skattebo is confident he’ll be ready for training camp and expects to be cleared for OTAs. And under new head coach John Harbaugh, the Big Blues are expected to lean into a physical power-run system, mirroring the successful ground-heavy offenses Harbaugh utilized with the Baltimore Ravens and Michigan Wolverines.