Giants star Cam Skattebo sparks backlash as he performs backflip in softball game… seven months after dislocating his ankle

Cam Skattebo sent NFL fans into frenzy after performing a backflip during a charity softball game – just seven months after the New York Giants star had surgery on a serious ankle injury.

The running back was enjoying a fine rookie season until he suffered a broken right fibula and dislocated right ankle against the Philadelphia Eagles in October.

Skattebo went under the knife and has been in rehab ever since. The 24-year-old is targeting a return in Week 1 of the 2026 NBA season.

But he flirted with disaster during an appearance in the Brian Burns Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday. The NFL star scored a home run and then celebrated with a backflip.

Skattebo landed the acrobatics without a hitch but the celebration left fans divided. Some took it as proof that the running back’s recovery is on track.

‘Honestly, a backflip after a home run is one way to tell everyone your rehab is going pretty well,’ a supporter wrote. 

‘The good news, he looks 100 percent healthy and back to normal. Bad news he’s tempting fate,’ added another.

And many fans were unimpressed with Skattebo risking further injury during a charity event. 

‘I don’t think it was a smart thing to do,’ one said. ‘This could jeopardize his job and the organization,’ added another. ‘Training staff holding their breath lol,’ said a third.

It is not the first time Skattebo has hit the headlines while sidelined. Just weeks after his surgery, he made a WWE cameo at Madison Square Garden, prompting more concern over his health. 

Earlier this year, meanwhile, he was forced to apologize after claiming that CTE is not real. Skattebo sparked fury with his baseless comments about CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) on the ‘Bring The Juice’ podcast.

The neurodegenerative brain disease, which is believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head, has been found in 345 of 376 deceased NFL players.

But when the Giants running back was asked if he believes it is real, he said: ‘No, [CTE] is an excuse.’ Skattebo also went on to dismiss the medical reality of asthma, calling the breathing disease ‘fake.’

After coming under fire over his comments, the 24-year-old took to Instagram to issue an apology.

‘I recently did an interview and had a lapse in judgement, which resulted in me making a tasteless joke about CTE and asthma. It was never my intention to downplay the seriousness of head injuries and asthma,’ Skattebo wrote on his story.

‘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. MUCH LOVE!!!’