For some pro athletes, Twitch is becoming part of the injury rehab routine

Move over, skibidi: The internet is all about Skattebo now.

I’m talking about Cam Skattebo, the rookie running back for the New York Giants. After accumulating five touchdowns and nearly 400 rushing yards over the first seven games of his NFL career, the man known as “Skat” quickly became a fan favorite.

Then, during an October 26 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, disaster struck. Skattebo suffered a dislocated ankle, and team doctors later confirmed that the injury would bring an early end to the rusher’s rookie season.

Amid his rehab for his injured ankle, Skattebo has added a curious stop on his road to recovery. In recent weeks, his Twitch account — titled sk4tpack — has become one of the most popular entertainment hubs on the Amazon-owned streaming service.

At the time of this post, Skattebo’s follower count has reached 124,000. When he reached six digits in that category, the Arizona State alum celebrated by drinking out of a cleat. In other words, when it comes to streamer culture, Skat fits right in.

As silly as Skattebo’s Twitch activity may be, it represents a bold strategy utilized by several high-profile athletes. Serious injuries don’t just shorten careers and damage bodies: In a sporting era dominated by creators and personal brand building, pros can lose their marketing potential if they sit outside of the public eye for too long.

That’s why Skattebo’s streams are so smart. Injuries are so common among NFL players (and running backs in particular) that many rising stars break down before they can earn a big-money contract. If Skat’s streaming career takes off, it will serve as a safety net that can support his football activities, and it may even lead to generational wealth

after his playing days expire.

Skattebo isn’t the first injured athlete to give Twitch a try. This phenomenon dates at least as far back as 2019, when wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster collaborated with streamers like THump and TimTheTatMan while dealing with a knee injury. Two years later, when a heart condition forced soccer star Sergio “Kun” Agüero into retirement, the Argentinian striker took his talents to Twitch. He quickly became one of the most familiar faces within the platform’s Latin American community.

For these high-level competitors, streaming video games on Twitch may not compare to the thrill of being a pro athlete. At the same time, the Cam Skattebos of the world gain privileged positions when they choose to become creators. They start their streaming careers with built-in name recognition and established ties to big-name collaborators (just ask Jynxzi).

In that context, the “Twitch rehab” is something of a no-brainer. By streaming to thousands of followers, Skat can ensure that his grind never stops — even when he’s physically unable to set foot on the field.