Jets rookie camp tryout has the entirety of New York rooting for his success
For Patrick McSweeney, the opportunity to compete and play at New York Jets rookie minicamp was a dream. And it was a heartwarming way to honor his father. The tight end arrived at the Atlantic Health Training Center on Friday and had the opportunity to try out for the team his father loved so much. McSweeney's father, […]
For Patrick McSweeney, the opportunity to compete and play at New York Jets rookie minicamp was a dream. And it was a heartwarming way to honor his father.
The tight end arrived at the Atlantic Health Training Center on Friday and had the opportunity to try out for the team his father loved so much. McSweeney's father, Timothy McSweeney, died while serving as an FDNY firefighter during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
McSweeney was just nine months old at the time, but his father was a season ticket holder for the Jets, so naturally the tight end grew up a Jets fan.
"Unfortunately, I don't really have any memories of being with my father physically, but I feel like I know him just through the stories," McSweeney told Jets team reporter Ethan Greenberg. "A lot of stories of just who he was and his character, even old photos and videos. Just growing up and being myself, a lot of people will say I do certain things like him or act like him or I even sound like him or look like him.
"I know that he's always with me and my family, so I feel like I have a great understanding for who he is. Even though I really don't have any memories from before he passed away, I feel I've met him and I feel like I've grown up with him."
Timothy died at just 37 years old, but was awarded six awards for heroism during his time in the FDNY.
"He was always putting other people first. He was very selfless and something that I try to embody of his, it might sound cliché, but when he when he ran into that building, he was attempting to save innocent people. He really didn't care what those people looked like, what their race or religion was. He was just trying to save them. That's kind of what I always remember," McSweeney explained. "It's important to treat everyone fairly, treat them with respect and that's how I've always tried to be."
While he took a different career path, McSweeney aimed to honor his father in everything he did. So when he was named the captain at The Citadel, following his five seasons at Coastal Carolina, it showed that people truly respected him too.
"[My mom] tells us that he would be proud of us and he is proud of us," he said. "He's watching over us right now. The fact that I'm here right now, he's probably jumping for joy. He's excited, but I have more work to do. And I have to keep going."
Timothy was one of nearly 3,000 people who lost their life on September 11, when two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York.
