Giants Rookie Learned After Game That Grandfather Had Heart Attack Before Kickoff — Family Hid the News So He Could Play
East Rutherford, NJ – October 10, 2025 — Under the bright Thursday night lights, New York roared again. The Giants fought with grit and emotion, clawing through every down as if the night carried something deeper than football.
Behind the helmets, though, there was a hidden storm. Hours before kickoff, one rookie’s grandfather suffered a heart attack back home in Sacramento. His family knew — but chose to keep it from him until after the game.
That rookie was Cam Skattebo — the Giants’ breakout running back who delivered the performance of his young career: 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns, the team’s first rookie hat trick since 2011.
The night began like any other for him — headphones on, locked in, fueled by purpose. Every carry, every hit, carried invisible weight. He pointed skyward after scoring, unaware how much that gesture would soon mean.
#FlyEaglesFly @ #NYGiants
💥Jaxson Dart: 253 yards, 2 TD; averaging 55.7 rush YPG across three starts.
💥Cam Skattebo: 21 touches, 110 YDS, 3 TD; 73% RB rush share / 73% snap with Tyrone Tracy Jr. active.
💥Wan’Dale Robinson: 97% route participation (with Darius Slayton out).… — Hazy (@FF_ChefHazy) October 15, 2025
After the game, his expression shifted from joy to heartbreak. “I didn’t know my grandfather was in the hospital before the game,” he said quietly. “I celebrated that win with joy, but now it feels different.”
“I just pray he pulls through — he’s been cheering for me since college. Now it’s my turn to pull for him.” His voice trembled, and for a moment, football faded into the background. Only family mattered.
According to relatives, the 78-year-old — affectionately known as “Coach Skip” — collapsed early Thursday and underwent emergency surgery. “He would’ve said, ‘Play your game. Don’t stop for me,’” a family member told FOX Sports.
Head coach Brian Daboll’s tone was heavy with pride: “Cam’s a warrior. He played for something bigger tonight. You could feel that in every run.”
By early Friday morning, doctors confirmed that his grandfather was in stable condition. Skattebo skipped his media duties and flew home to be with family. The Giants later donated to the American Heart Association in his honor.
Across social media, fans flooded #PrayForSkattebosGrandpa with messages of hope. One fan wrote: “He ran with heart. Now we pray for his.”
For New York, it wasn’t just football. It was family. It was heart. And for Cam Skattebo, it was love that carried him through the night. ❤️
Former Super Bowl Champion Playmaker Turns Down Eagles Practice Squad to Join Packers Workout
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(704x209:706x211)/C-J-Gardner-Johnson-3-0126-961ae11129c44ee68a05bc90301e1769.jpg)
The Green Bay Packers are adding veteran experience to one of the youngest safety rooms in the NFL — and they’re doing it in style.
Two days after being released by the Ravens, a former Super Bowl champion playmaker is heading north to Green Bay.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the fiery defensive back known for his swagger and versatility, has turned down an offer to rejoin the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad to join the Packers for a workout.
Sources confirmed the decision Wednesday night, calling it “a culture fit move” rather than a desperation signing — a sign that Green Bay is looking to blend leadership into its young secondary.
The Packers’ safety group has been impressive but extremely young. Star free safety Xavier McKinney anchors the unit, while rookies Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, and Kitan Oladapo have carried a heavy load through six weeks.
Despite no active injuries, Green Bay’s secondary lacks a veteran voice in pressure situations. Gardner-Johnson brings seven seasons of experience, 18 career interceptions, and a reputation for energy and toughness.
The 27-year-old was a pivotal part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl run in 2022, tying for the league lead with six interceptions — and earning respect as one of football’s top playmaking safeties.
His addition could give defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley more flexibility in nickel and hybrid packages, areas where the young safeties have occasionally struggled with pre-snap communication.
Green Bay’s defense ranks top 10 overall but has shown vulnerability on explosive plays — an area Gardner-Johnson’s instincts could immediately help.
When asked about his decision to turn down Philadelphia, he explained:
“Green Bay feels different. It’s young, hungry, and built on trust. I’ve played in a lot of locker rooms — this one has a soul, and that’s why I’m here.”
For the Packers, this workout isn’t about filling a hole — it’s about adding fire to a team with playoff ambitions and a growing defensive identity.
If the workout goes well, Gardner-Johnson could soon find himself reunited with another NFC powerhouse
