Former Cowboys TE Gavin Escobar found dead after rock climbing accident

Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar was one of two rock climbers found dead near Idyllwild, California, on Wednesday. 

Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, were involved in a climbing accident, which was reported to local firefighters in the early afternoon. With limited road access in the area, firefighters hiked to the reported location where they found the two deceased victims. 

According to Eliana Perez and Shad Powers of the Palm Springs Desert Sun, the only information provided by officials stated that the two died "climbing a 'rock face.'"

After wrapping up his time in the NFL, Escobar made a career change, joining the Long Beach Fire Department as a firefighter in 2022. 

The department announced Escobar's passing in an Instagram post on Thursday. 

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar," the post read. "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 Dallas Cowboys. Firefighter Escobar leaves behind his wife and two young children."

Selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Cowboys out of San Diego State, Escobar went on to play four seasons in Dallas, from 2013 to 2016. Escobar signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2017, his final season in the NFL, playing in just two regular-season games. 

In 64 career NFL games, Escobar compiled 30 catches for 333 yards and eight touchdowns.