New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo ignited a wave of criticism from fans on Sunday after performing a celebratory backflip following a touchdown in the team's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The celebration came just one quarter into the game and less than a year after Skattebo's rookie season was cut short by a significant leg injury.
Skattebo scored the Giants' first touchdown of the game on a three-yard run. In his celebration, he executed a backflip in the end zone, a move that has become his signature. While he landed the acrobatic maneuver without apparent injury this time, many fans expressed dismay on social media, deeming the stunt reckless given his past injury.
"Every Giants fan spent all summer protecting that knee like fine china and Cam just launched the whole cabinet down the stairs," one user wrote on X. Another commented sarcastically, "Smart after just blowing out your ankle." Fans expressed concern over his talent being overshadowed by what they perceive as a lack of judgment, with one user stating, "He’s got talent coming out of his ears, but he’s dumb as a rock."
This incident echoes a similar event during the offseason. Skattebo attempted a backflip during a WWE Fanatics Fest activation in July while recreating Triple H's entrance. On that occasion, he did not land successfully, slipping and twisting his surgically repaired right leg. Head coach John Harbaugh, who had previously expressed his displeasure with Skattebo's offseason stunt, reacted to the July incident by saying, "My reaction was – I haven't talked to him yet; I'm going to talk to him, I'm sure – my reaction was this: Dude, at least stick it. I mean, land the thing if you're going to do it, you know? That was my first reaction."
Skattebo's promising rookie season was halted in Week 8 last year when he sustained a severe leg injury that included an open tibia fracture, a ruptured deltoid ligament, and a dislocated right ankle.