New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo won’t change how he runs, even as referees flagged him for unnecessary roughness during Sunday’s overtime win against the Houston Texans.
Officials threw a flag during one Skattebo run, noting that he illegally lowered his helmet to create contact.
“If I’m going to continue to get flagged for it or fined for it, man, I guess I’m going to play for free,” Skattebo told reporters after the game.
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The second-year running back recorded 17 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. The strong day arrived a week after Skattebo failed to record any carries in a Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The NFL has already fined the Arizona State product for his physical running style. He lost $7,073 after lowering his helmet to initiate contact during a Week 3 win against the Tennessee Titans.
Most of the NFL landscape has flocked to his defense.
“This is not the NFL you grew up watching,” Ari Meirow, a writer for the 33rd Team news site, said on social media.
“Soft!” former offensive linemen Richie Incognito said on social media in reference to the call.
Skattebo became a fan favorite during his rookie season for his throwback, bruising running style. It landed him highlight reels posted by the league and a sponsorship with State Farm during the offseason.
“The NFL loves to post me when I do stuff like that but then also wants to take stuff from me,” the 24-year-old said.
The league did not immediately announce a fine for Skattebo’s latest infraction. The Giants (4-2-1) now enter their bye week with a lead in the NFC East.
They return to action on Nov. 8 with a divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles, before hosting the rival Washington Commanders on the Nov. 12 edition of Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football.”
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