New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo always knows how to make a headline, and that’s exactly what he did this weekend with his backflip at Fanatics Fest.
The elephant in the room from Skattebo’s backflip is that he’s recovering from three separate major leg injuries suffered last season. After the former Arizona State star got a lot of heat on social media for his attempted backflip during recovery, an NFL analyst came to his support Monday morning.
Kyle Brandt Gives Differing, Fun Perspective on Cam Skattebo’s Backflip
The Giants running back fractured his tibia, dislocated his ankle, and ruptured his deltoid ligament midway through his rookie season, which is why social media has been in uproar over Skattebo’s actions.
However, on Monday, NFL analyst Kyle Brandt offered a different perspective on ESPN’s “Get Up.”
“The Giants have a dog. And I don’t mean like he’s got that ‘dog’ in him. He’s like an actual human Labrador,” Brandt said. “When you come home, and the dog has torn up the pillow and peed on the ground, don’t you, ‘Why’d you do that?’ Because I’m a dog and I’m always gonna do that.
“That’s not his first backflip. That’s not his last backflip. And I’m not gonna sit here, and we’re not gonna pearl-clutch through the Cam Skattebo era.”
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Some could see that response as belittling, but the tone in which Brandt made the statement seemed to come from a place of genuine defense for the young, energetic running back.
He added that he knows the backflip was irresponsible, but that’s just who Skattebo is. The Giants star loves the spotlight, and he’s going to enjoy it.
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“I know it’s irresponsible. He is irresponsible, alright? It was also at Fanatics Fest. Have you ever been to that thing? There’s nobody up on stage splitting the atom, okay?” Brandt said. “It’s fun, it’s a party, and this is not the last time we’re gonna do this. By the way, this is a fourth-round draft pick running back. This is not the linchpin of the organization.
“This is not Saquon (Barkley). He’s gonna be here for a few years. We’re gonna have a few laughs, gonna have a few touchdowns, and then we’re gonna miss him. So let’s not ruin it while he’s here.”
Brandt was one of the first public figures to come to Skattebo’s defense, if that’s what you want to call it. Many on social media were hounding the young player. He was even called an “idiot” and an “imbecile.”
In his rookie season, before getting hurt, Skattebo rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry in eight games. He also had 24 receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns. According to PFN’s RB Impact Metric, Skattebo posted an impact score of 70.9, ranking 40th in the league.
Whether there is backlash from this for Skattebo or not, we’ll have to wait and see, but the Giants running back is expected to be the top back for New York in 2026, and he has the perfect playstyle for his new head coach, John Harbaugh.
That is, if Skattebo remains healthy for the season.
