News Summary
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, known for a physical running style and a season cut short by a severe ankle injury, told the "Bring The Juice" podcast that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is "not a real thing" and called it "an excuse." He also agreed with a host's comment that asthma is "fake," saying "You're just soft. Just breathe air." The article notes the medical consensus linking CTE to repeated head impacts and cites studies documenting posthumous diagnoses among former NFL players. It also references other NFL players who have downplayed concussions, mentions that Skattebo's quarterback Jaxson Dart had concussion evaluations and missed games, and recalls Skattebo being fined for entering the medical tent during an evaluation. Skattebo also commented elsewhere that he was progressing in rehab after injury.
Biblical Reflection
From a Christian perspective the story raises two main concerns: truthfulness and compassion. Scripture calls believers to love their neighbor (Mark 12:31) and to speak truth (Ephesians 4:15), but those commitments must go together. Dismissing established medical conditions like CTE and asthma as "not real" or an "excuse" risks harming vulnerable people — teammates, fans, children with chronic illness — by stigmatizing legitimate suffering and discouraging them from seeking care. The cultural virtue of toughness in sports can be a good discipline when it cultivates perseverance, but it hardens when it devolves into prideful dismissal of evidence and the pain of others. Christians should be wary of celebrations of bravado that silence medical prudence. At the same time, we should avoid reducing complex debates to partisan or tribal postures: robust scientific study and medical ethics deserve careful engagement rather than blunt denial. A faithful response would affirm the reality of illness and injury, encourage wise stewardship of the body (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), call public figures to humility and self-examination, and promote policies and team cultures that protect players while cultivating genuine courage — not mere posturing. If Skattebo's comments come from a desire to model toughness, that motive still must be tempered by compassion and truth. If they are simply provocative for attention, Christians should resist amplifying speech that may harm others and instead model speaking truth in love and protecting the vulnerable.
Scripture in context
This outlook does not yet include contextual Scripture citations. Do not treat a general biblical theme as an exegetical conclusion.
Faithful Response
No prescribed response is offered. Consider the reflection prompts below in your own church context.
Reflection and Discussion
- 1When a public figure dismisses medical suffering, how can I balance respect for courage with care for those who are ill or injured?
- 2How am I practicing stewardship of my body and encouraging others to seek wise medical care when needed?
- 3If I disagree with someone publicly, how can I correct or respond in a way that is truthful but also compassionate?
Sources
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- 1.Original reportprimary