FLORHAM PARK, NJ (AP) — That temporary but terrifying feeling of helplessness still overcomes Wes Schweitzer each time.
The New York Jets Offensive lineman climbs a rock – Hand over hand, foot over foot – when he suddenly loses his footing, slips off the wall and falls a number of meters into the depths before landing.
“The rope can hold 20,000 pounds, so you're absolutely safe, you're OK,” a smiling Schweitzer told the Associated Press after a recent training camp practice. “But every time I fall on the rope, I scream. I'm like, 'Ahhh!' You feel like you're going to die for a second, you know?
“And people take a look at you funny, but you then realize that other individuals are screaming too, since it's natural. You live within the moment and check out to not fall, and you then fall, so it's surprising. So, yes, I'm still scared.”
And Schweitzer, a 2016 sixth-round pick from San Jose State, loves every sometimes gruesome moment.
Climbing has become a passion In recent years, the 1.93 m tall and 147 kg athlete has been an exception – an anomaly in a sport in which the participants are predominantly much smaller.
“I'm in type of uncharted territory,” Schweitzer admitted. “I get messages every single day about how much I encourage people. And I'm not trying to do this to be that way for other people. But it's really cool that folks expect that of me, because climbing is, well, really hard.”
Schweitzer tried out indoor climbing walls in gyms. He Bouldering is funa style of climbing on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses and with pads placed on the ground. The tall Arizonan, who started three seasons at San Jose State, has also ventured to some of the most popular outdoor climbing sites, such as Castle Rock in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Rocktown in Georgia and the Shawangunk Mountains – also known as The Gunks – in New York.
In the off-season from football, he uses climbing to stay in shape, and publishes videos and pictures of his climbing adventures on social media.
“I like it,” said Keith Carter, the Jets' offensive line coach. “I don't have social media, but I hear about it on a regular basis. Just the thought of him climbing a rock wall is impressive.”
Schweitzer has shared his passion for climbing with the team – “No one has ever told me to stop” – and he places great importance on safety.
“I feel crucial thing is that they see my performance on the sector,” he said. “And they were like, 'Oh, if it's working for him, then keep going so long as you don't get hurt.' It's no more dangerous than anything so long as you do it right.”
Schweitzer, who turns 31 next week, strained his elbow early in his NFL career after being drafted by Atlanta. After a year of conventional rehabilitation failed to fully heal, Schweitzer turned to a trainer who recommended he try rock climbing.
“And inside five minutes I used to be pain-free,” Schweitzer recalled. “Something that had plagued me for a 12 months.”
So he continued climbing.
“I gained about 15 kilos of muscle and my game got higher,” he said. “Now I've been doing this for a few years and I am going on the market and do increasingly difficult things. I climb 60-meter routes and that has boosted my confidence since you're challenged to the max every single day.”
“Climbing is a challenge that exceeds any football requirement and has made me a significantly better player. I highly recommend it to anyone.”
Schweitzer, a former captain of San Jose State, who signed a two-year contract with the Jets in March 2023, is a versatile member of New York's offensive line as a backup and spot starter who can play both guard and center. And climbing is an important part of his preparation each season.
“The advantages are huge,” Schweitzer said. “The most elementary thing is that you just're holding onto handles and it's getting harder and harder to carry onto. Now once I hold onto shoulder pads, it's like holding onto handlebars, versus back once I was holding onto something that was much harder to carry onto.”
“It's about core strength, but I actually have to generate power with all my limbs. And you then're in your toes, so your calves, hips and glutes are also challenged.”
Over the years, Schweitzer has introduced his teammates to climbing and has undertaken several climbing tours with him.
“But usually after 10 minutes they are exhausted and don’t come back,” he said, laughing.
During the season, Schweitzer climbs indoor climbing walls in addition to his regular football training.
His goal after football is to one day free climb El Capitan, a 3,000-foot-high rock formation in Yosemite National Park in California, using his hands and feet to find grip and footholds on a rope attached to a harness.
“When you've been there and also you see that thing, it's a mile high, you’re thinking that, that's the good thing ever,” Schweitzer said. “I'm at all times an ambitious dreamer, but we'll see. I just wish to move the game forward. I need to get right down to 300 kilos after which set a typical, like no other 300-pound person goes to do what I did.”
“I don't think anyone can do what I've done, but I need to get it to the purpose where it's clear that that is the limit. And then I need to lose as much weight as possible and see what I can do.”
Until then, Schweitzer will proceed to attempt to Playoff-hungry Jets reach latest heights on the football field.
“Climbing is a subject of conversation amongst teammates,” he said. “I feel now, at this point in my profession, it's like a selling point. It makes me a little bit bit different. And I'm pleased with it.”
Originally published:
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