Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo apologizes for podcast comments on CTE and asthma

Arizona State University running back Cam Skattebo issued an apology after comments on a podcast in which he dismissed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as not real and described asthma as an "excuse."[1][2]

Skattebo, a senior for the Sun Devils, made the remarks during an appearance on the "SunDowns" podcast hosted by former Arizona State quarterback Brady White. He later called the statements a "tasteless joke."[1][2]

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Skattebo wrote: "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 assure you that I’ll be more mindful and respectful going forward."[1][2]

Skattebo's mother, Becky Skattebo, defended her son on social media, writing: "If only people knew how many times Cam had to ‘run and get mom's inhaler’ they'd realize the sarcasm...you'll never make everyone happy and you'll never say all the right things and people are bound to spin something sooner or later in a direction it was never intended to go."[1][3]

The 23-year-old Skattebo, who has managed asthma since childhood, ranks fifth nationally in rushing with 1,343 yards and leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with 18 rushing touchdowns through Arizona State's first nine games of the 2024 season.[4][5]

CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease associated with repeated brain trauma, diagnosed in more than 200 former NFL players posthumously, according to the Boston University CTE Center.[6][7]