Gavin Escobar, who played tight end for the Dallas Cowboys from 2013-16, died Wednesday in a rock-climbing accident that saw a second fatality.
Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, were found dead during an attempted rescue by the Riverside County Fire Department.
The department said firefighters tried hiking to the victims’ location but when they made it to the climbers, Escobar and Walsh had died.
They were found in a remote area near Tahquitz Rock in the San Bernardino National Forest. Officials said they were climbing a rock face.
Escobar’s mother told WFAA, “He was a great father, husband, and son. Just heartbroken now.”
Escobar went to San Diego State and was a second-round pick of the Cowboys in 2013. He played in 62 games and made 30 catches, 8 for touchdowns.
Forever in our hearts. 💙 pic.twitter.com/Pgp7vZ1ebB
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 30, 2022
He finished his career in 2017 with the Baltimore Ravens.
After his playing days, Escobar became a firefighter in Long Beach, Ca.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar. Hired on February 5, 2022, Firefighter Escobar was assigned to Fire Station 3 on B-shift. pic.twitter.com/pOgBFnwH9f
— Long Beach Fire (CA) (@LBFD) September 30, 2022
The fire department posted about the death on its Facebook page:
It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar. Hired on February 5, 2022, Firefighter Escobar was assigned to Fire Station 3 on B-shift. Prior to being a Long Beach Firefighter, Gavin Escobar played professional football for the #NFL where he spent most of his time with the #DallasCowboys. Firefighter Escobar leaves behind his wife and two young children.
Wow!!!! RIP Gavin Escobar🙏🏿
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 30, 2022
Just heard the news about Gavin Escobar, I’ll never forget announcing his name in the 2014 NFL draft by the Cowboys. Too Soon RIP 🙏🙏
— tony casillas (@tccasillas) September 30, 2022
