The NFL has always been an extremely physical sport. With tackling being a key component of every snap, the wear and tear on the body is immense. However, it can also have lasting effects, with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) among the biggest problems for players.
This is why a comedy skit from Druski mocking and poking fun at the condition left many people unimpressed. Among them was a former defensive tackle, who had some harsh words for the comedian’s insensitivity.
Druski Gets Blasted for CTE Skit
A recent study from the British Medical Journal confirmed that out of 315 NFL players who died during 2008-2021 and whose brains were studied, 93.2% of them were affected by CTE.
That reopened the conversation around the disease, but the Druski skit only served to take it in another direction.
However, Breiden Fehoko wasn’t a fan of the portrayal. On his podcast, the former Charger laid into the famous content creator, claiming that he was being insensitive to people who suffered from CTE.
“I didn’t find it funny at all. Apparently, CTE is hilarious to people. Druski is making a joke out of it, making a skit. I’m a fan of Druski. I think he’s hilarious. But there is a line you have to draw between comedy and real life. Druski, you gotta do your research, man. On CTE. On who it affects.”
Going into the complications of the disease, Fehoko explained, “You can’t diagnose it while people are still alive. The only way that you can diagnose CTE is if a person passes away and they donate their brain to science.”
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Pointing out other problems he had with him, Fehoko also referenced the infamous moment involving Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Intentionally mispronouncing his name at the end-of-season award ceremony, Druski was heavily criticized for it.
“We had this guy up at the NFL awards, and he purposely botched Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s last name for the betterment of his career and to just get laughs. Druski, sometimes I get that you’re a comedian and this is what you do. Make the world laugh. This is what God’s gift to you was. Hey, go make the world laugh. But there is a line you can’t cross.”
Bringing it back to CTE, he concluded, “A disease that messes with people’s brains and people don’t know how to diagnose it while people are still alive? Yeah, no… I thought that was cheap. I thought that was a cop-out. I didn’t like it. I’m not a fan of it.”
Whether intentionally or otherwise, Druski may have helped raise awareness about CTE.
Given his platform and massive audience, even a skit can open people up to these struggles and thereby help them better understand the situation.
It remains to be seen if research into CTE can ultimately reach a point where it is diagnosed and treatable. But for the time being, it looks like most of the NFL is against this particular skit.
