New York – Running back Cam Skattebo, a 2025 fourth‑round draft pick for the New York Giants, opened up on Kay Adams’ “Up and Adams Show” about the ankle injury that ended his rookie season and briefly made him consider hanging up his cleats.
Injury and the retirement thought
Skattebo was sidelined in his eighth NFL game, a 38‑20 loss at Philadelphia on Oct. 26, when a serious ankle injury forced him out for the rest of the year. He admitted, “yeah, definitely. I would say probably a month in… the first month was kind of like, ‘Damn, do I really want to do this?’” He recalled a personal rule he set after leaving Arizona State: if he ever suffered a major injury, his football career would be over. The injury hit that rule head‑on, leaving him to grapple with the possibility of retirement.
Season stats and personal growth
Despite the setback, Skattebo posted respectable numbers in his brief rookie stint: 410 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, plus 207 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 24 catches. He said the forced downtime gave him a chance for deep self‑reflection, allowing him to “sit at home for 14 hours a day, do absolutely nothing… find who I was, find my happiness, find the person I wanted to be on and off the field.”
Back in the fold
Now back in training camp, Skattebo says family and friends have helped him refocus on football. “I’ve had lots of talks with family and friends that, ‘Hey, look, it’s football time now.’ All my outside stressors kind of go away now because I’ve been able to have those talks and allow myself to focus on one thing.” He expressed excitement for the upcoming season opener on Sept. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys, calling the renewed focus “awesome.”
Looking ahead
Skattebo emphasized that the retirement contemplation is firmly in the past. He believes the injury forced him into a “deep place” that ultimately helped him grow, and he’s eager to see what he can build from the experience. As the Giants prepare for their first game of the season, Skattebo’s story stands as a reminder of resilience and the importance of faith in one’s own journey.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
