Cam Skattebo Says He Is 'Perfectly Fine' After Botched Backflip Goes Viral
The Giants running back landed awkwardly on his surgically repaired right ankle at Fanatics Fest, blamed the bouncy floor, and insists nothing has changed heading into training camp.
Giants fans got a brief scare over the weekend when video of Cam Skattebo falling out of a backflip attempt at Fanatics Fest made the rounds on social media. The second-year running back came down awkwardly on his surgically repaired right ankle, which was enough to set off alarm bells with training camp right around the corner. Skattebo quickly shut the panic down, saying he is 'perfectly fine' and pinning the failed flip on the venue's bouncy floors.
What actually happened at Fanatics Fest?
Cam Skattebo attempted his trademark backflip on Saturday at Fanatics Fest and did not stick the landing. He fell to the ground mid-flip, and the video spread quickly, mostly because of where his weight came down. Skattebo landed on the right ankle that required surgery last season, which turned a goofy clip into a genuine injury question within hours. He blamed the mishap on the bouncy floors at the venue rather than anything wrong with the ankle. For what it is worth, he had already landed a clean backflip after hitting a home run at a celebrity softball game in May, so the flip itself is not new territory for him.
Why did the fall spark so much concern?
The worry traces back to Week 8 of Skattebo's rookie season, when he suffered an open tibia fracture and a dislocated right ankle against Philadelphia. That injury ended his year on the spot and left the Giants waiting through a long rehab. Seeing him crumple on that same ankle days before camp was always going to get a reaction, no matter how harmless the fall turned out to be. Skattebo did not seem bothered by the criticism that followed, saying he is going to keep being himself even if people call the stunt brain-dead. He also promised not to hurt himself before the season, which is about as much reassurance as anyone was going to get out of him.
Where does this leave Skattebo heading into camp?
Nothing about his outlook has changed. Skattebo remains on track to be a full participant when the Giants open training camp and is expected to be healthy for the season. The team did not put out a statement, though head coach John Harbaugh had already joked at minicamp about telling him no backflips, advice that clearly did not take. The Giants have real plans for Skattebo in a backfield that is part of a broader rebuild in New York, so his health matters beyond one viral clip. Assuming the ankle checks out in camp the way he says it will, this ends up as an offseason footnote rather than a setback.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Giants RB Cam Skattebo 'perfectly fine' after botched backflip
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