John Harbaugh Had the Perfect Response to Cam Skattebo’s Failed Backflip

Cam Skattebo showed up to Fanatics Fest in New York City ready to have a good time. Maybe a little too ready.

The Giants running back decided to pop a backflip in front of the crowd. He didn’t land it. He crashed backward onto his rear end, popped up quick, and waved it off like nothing happened. But for a split second, Giants fans collectively held their breath.

Why? Skattebo is only nine months removed from ankle surgery. He hurt that ankle in Week 8 last season and hasn’t exactly been bulletproof since. Watching your fourth-round rookie launch himself backward into the air at a media event isn’t exactly what you want to see as training camp approaches.

Harbaugh’s take was pure comedy

John Harbaugh finally got asked about the backflip situation on Bleav in Giants. And instead of chewing out his guy or brushing it off with a cliché, the new Giants head coach went another direction.

“Dude, at least stick it. You know what I mean?” Harbaugh said Tuesday via ESPN. “Land the thing if you’re gonna do it.”

That’s about as perfect a response as you could ask for. It’s not angry. It’s not overly protective. It’s just a coach who watched his running back eat pavement and wishes he had at least made it look cool.

Skattebo’s already a fan favorite

The kid came out of Arizona State as a fourth-round pick after two seasons where he ran angry and talked a lot of game. That hard-hitting style and weird off-field energy made him a quick fan favorite in New York. He’s the type of player who doesn’t filter himself, and that’s part of the appeal.

But Year 2 is coming fast. The Giants offense under Harbaugh could look a lot different with a healthy Skattebo in the mix. We saw what Harbaugh did with Derrick Henry in Baltimore. He got a massive back to stay productive deep into his career. Skattebo isn’t Henry. Different body type, different style. But the blueprint for using a physical back in that system exists.

The backflip thing is funny for now. It’ll stay funny as long as he shows up to training camp ready to go. If the ankle holds up and he carves out a bigger role, nobody’s going to remember the fall. They might even ask him to try again.