The backflip was only a big deal because Cam Skattebo didn't land it.
The New York Giants running back performed his patented celebration onstage at "Fanatics Fest" July 18 and did not land cleanly. It was not the best look because was recovering from a gruesome dislocated ankle injury that ended his rookie campaign after seven games.
"I love the eyes on me," Skattebo told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday, Sept. 3. "If I would have landed that backflip, there would have been no issues with it. It would have been cool. Everyone would have said 'Oh my god, Skatt’s healthy, Skatt’s ready to go.' I over-rotated, didn’t land it, who cares? I was fine. I landed in a comfortable position – my athletic ability allowed me to land in. I didn’t hurt myself.
Nothing happened."
Skattebo heard from the Giants' front office via text messages not long after the backflip clips started making its way around the Internet. The staff helps keep him level-headed and away from the undesired aspect of fame.
But as Skattebo noted, he is a fan of the station that comes with being a notable name in the country's biggest media market. While rehabbing, the California native realized he needed to think about the next 30 years of his life – not just the next 30 days.
"I think the big thing is exploring my connections to the outside world, outside of football," Skattebo said of his offseason.
Skattebo told “Up and Adams” that, for a month after the he dislocated his ankle against the Philadelphia Eagles, he was unsure if he wanted to continue playing football because he told himself that if he ever suffered a major injury, he’d hang up the cleats.
Instead, the road back to the gridiron provided him with an opportunity to overcome something and learn.
“Going through rehab and through that process has helped me understand that being available is a very big thing in this league,” Skattebo said. “If you’re not available, nobody wants you.
“Obviously, mental health is a big thing, and taking care of the body. When your body quote unquote fails on you, you have to understand what to do with it and how to fix it.”
Giants head coach John Harbaugh, entering his first season after 18 with the Baltimore Ravens, has already made his expectations for Skattebo and the team clear. Skattebo said Harbaugh has been "awesome" but demanding.
Cam Skattebo-John Harbaugh relationship
“I think a lot of the people in the building – almost everyone – has bought into his vision and what he has for us," said Skattebo, who spoke to USA TODAY through his partnership with State Farm. "He has a plan on what he wants to do and it’s set in stone and that’s how it’s going to roll. If you don’t want to be a part of it, there’s no reason for you to be there.
“We talk a lot. When he walks up to me and tells me ‘Are you ready for 20-plus carries a game?’ I think I’m in a pretty good spot.”
Harbaugh referred to Skattebo's recent practice antics, in which he drew a 15-yard personal foul penalty, as a potentially "infectious disease." Skattebo felt reaction to the incident was overblown and said that energy was high at the end of that day's work. He knows he shouldn’t be that aggressive in practice, even if it’s something he wouldn’t do in a game.
Harbaugh's message? “That cost you 15 yards – whether it was in practice or a game. That cost us.”
“It was just some trash-talking with the boys,” Skattebo said.
The arrival of Odell Beckham Jr. to the Giants' skill-position group has been welcomed by Skattebo, who said the main message from "OBJ" has been simple: no regrets. With all of the injuries Beckham has experienced, it’s a lesson for his younger teammates, particularly Skattebo.
“Work your (expletive) off, continue to push," Skattebo said of Beckham. "You don’t want to look back at these years and say ‘I could have worked harder and I could have been a better player.’"
Beckham has also had some helpful words about dealing with the New York media.
"Crazy is now my new normal," Skattebo said. "I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve gotten used to blocking out the noise and accepting the good praises."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'I love the eyes on me.' Giants' Cam Skattebo back after brutal injury
