@Druski/Instagram
Druski is facing backlash from athletes about his CTE skit
Social media comedian Druski released a new sketch making fun of NFL players who suffer from CTE. The video has clearly struck a nerve with many professional athletes.
Since being posted on Wednesday, August 26, Druski’s skit about CTE has racked up over 11 million views on the original video on X alone.
Druski has ruffled the feathers of some professional athletes with his skit about an NFL player with severe CTE
Druski’s had a heck of a run, and he’s better at his craft than I ever was at mine. Respect to him.
But he might wanna leave football alone. The JSN thing at Honors was bad. Now he’s out here making CTE a punchline? Come on.
I played pro sports for a living. CTE is the thing…
— Michael Redd (@MichaelRedd_) August 27, 2026
Given the sensitive topic at the center of the skit, however, many current and former professional athletes have taken to social media to call Druski out, as many of them believe that CTE is not something that should be mocked. Just this week, for example, a new study found that one in four of the NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE in their brain.
“Druski’s had a heck of a run, and he’s better at his craft than I ever was at mine. Respect to him. But he might wanna leave football alone. The JSN thing at Honors was bad. Now he’s out here making CTE a punchline? Come on,” tweeted former USA Basketball member and NBA All-Star Michael Redd.
Heartbreaking: Former All-Pro Safety T.J. Ward went OFF on Druski for his newest skit making fun of CTE.
“CTE is the only disease that is allowed to be made fun of… You wouldn’t make fun of someone with cancer, dementia, or AIDS”
Ward was on the verge of tears 😔💔 https://t.co/0wmIf95vG5 pic.twitter.com/fvVStWgAPe
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 27, 2026
“I played pro sports for a living. CTE is the thing that scares guys in my world more than just about anything, and that’s true across every contact sport. It’s taken guys we grew up watching. You don’t build a bit around that. Comedy’s his lane, and he’s great there. Football though? He might be done with that one…”
“CTE is the only disease that is allowed to be made fun of… You wouldn’t make fun of someone with cancer, dementia, or AIDS,” said former Denver Broncos All-Pro safety TJ Ward.
“Druski is on a lot of s— lists today!” predicted former NFL offensive tackle Kyle Long.
This isn’t the first time this year that Druski has angered the NFL community this year. At the NFL Honors back in February, he intentionally mispronounced Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s name for comedic effect while presenting him with Offensive Player of the Year.