Skweezy Jibbs Responds to PR Stunt Claims After Border Match

Oh the internet. When you try and share something positive you always get those keyboard warriors who want to find a way to ruin the feel good moment. And that’s exactly what happened when I shared a story about internet personality Skweezy Jibbs playing a game of volleyball on the border wall.

The story featured videos showing El Pasoans and a Juárez resident playing volleyball across the U.S.-Mexico border wall and many viewers questioned whether the event was simply a publicity stunt.

I'm sorry but this was ridiculous. It was a gimmick by a man attempting to go viral and get more subscribers. How can you call it a volleyball game when there was only one player on the Mexican side of the wall? -Rick

 

Skweezy Says Viral Border Wall Volleyball Match Wasn't a PR Stunt At All

The keyboard warriors weren’t going to win this battle! Even before I had read those comments I had reached out to internet personality Skweezy Jibbs to ask for an interview about this awesome moment.

According to Skweezy, whose real name is Tim Savage, the idea had been years in the making and had nothing to do with promoting his work.

"I wasn't even trying to use this as a PR stunt or anything," Skweezy told me. "I just thought it would be an interesting, fun thing."

Courtesy: Skweezy Jibbs

An Idea That Started Years Ago

During the interview Skweezy said that the idea first came to him during a previous stop in El Paso while on tour.

Growing up in Florida, volleyball was a huge part of his life. Seeing the border wall for the first time sparked an unusual thought.

"I grew up in Florida playing volleyball a lot," he said. "The first thing I thought of when I saw the border wall was, 'That would be a fun game to try to figure out and set up.'"

He tried making it happen during that visit, but the plans fell through. Ever since, the idea stayed in the back of his mind.

"So this time I was like, 'Alright, I've got to make it happen.'"

Courtesy: Skweezy Jibbs

Even Skweezy Was Surprised People Showed Up

One of the biggest misconceptions online, Skweezy says, is that the event was carefully planned.

In reality, the location had to be changed at the last minute after he discovered the original meeting spot had been closed off for about a year.

"We were not where I told everybody to go," he explained.

Because of the unexpected change, many people from Juárez couldn't find the new location even though they had driven out hoping to participate.

"I got messages from at least 15 people from Juárez who tried to come," he said. "That's kind of what makes me sad when people say nobody from Mexico showed up. They absolutely tried."

Instead, many participants began messaging each other online while searching for the correct location, helping one another navigate unfamiliar roads.

"What was awesome was people started connecting with each other while they were getting lost."

Courtesy: Skweezy Jibbs

Miguel Became the Unexpected MVP

Although dozens of people missed the new location, one person didn't give up.

A Juárez resident named Miguel eventually found the group and became the only player on the Mexican side of the wall.

Without him, Skweezy jokes, the event wouldn't have happened.

"Miguel was literally the MVP," he said. "Without him, I would have just hit the ball over the wall and it would've rolled into the river."

Afterward, Skweezy reached out to Miguel on Instagram to thank him.

Miguel replied that he lives just 50 meters from the border wall and that life along the border is deeply personal to him.

"That put it into a whole different perspective," Skweezy said. "To actually live there and have the wall be part of your everyday life is something completely different."

Courtesy: Skweezy Jibbs

More Than a Viral Video

While the volleyball game lasted only until the ball rolled into a nearby drainage ditch, Skweezy says the real success wasn't the video, it was watching strangers from both sides of the border come together.

"None of these people knew each other before this. I told everybody, 'The reason I want this to happen is unity and connection. Let's be respectful to everybody, let's stay hydrated, and let's just have fun.'"

He says that's the type of content he enjoys creating. Experiences that bring people together, not content that embarrasses or exploits others for clicks.

"I'm not a fan of prank videos or putting people on blast without their consent," he said. "I like doing things that are interesting, fun, and respectful."

Courtesy: Skweezy Jibbs

Could It Become an Annual Event?

Now that the first match is in the books, Skweezy hopes someone local takes the idea and runs with it.

"I think it would be incredible if El Paso and Juárez turned this into an actual event," he said. "If people decide, 'You know what? That random dude came through and did it let's make it our own,I'd say, 'Hell yeah.' That would make me so happy."

And as for El Paso? The comedian says he'll definitely be back.

"I love it there. Next time I'm coming back for a week just to hang out. I love the Borderland, and you guys are awesome."