His statement is seen as an attempt to 'climb down' [='back away'] from the strong denial he made yesterday.
a 'climbing plant' [=a plant that attaches itself to something, such as a wall, as it grows up it]
The players 'climbed' into their uniforms [=put on their uniforms] and headed for the field.
(..) It's the devil himself. Let's unload the rest of this, get it up top. Now, what are you waitin' for? Shut up. All right, Ellis. Can you climb that trunk, -choke this off that limb? - Yeah. Tie it in a bowline knot, you know it? I'm not stupid. Neck, I need you to start cuttin' line (..)2012 Mud