Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar was one of two hikers found dead Wednesday in an apparent rock-climbing accident near Idyllwild, California, according to authorities.
Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, were found by firefighters after a climbing accident involving two people was reported around noon Wednesday near Tahquitz Rock in the San Bernardino National Forest.
The victims were identified Thursday by The Riverside County sheriff’s office, per USA Today.
Forever in our hearts. ? pic.twitter.com/Pgp7vZ1ebB
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 30, 2022
A small amount of rain fell in the area earlier in the day, but officials did not immediately say if the weather was a factor in the deaths.
The only detail released was that Escobar and Walsh died at the scene while climbing a “rock face.”
Escobar played collegiately at San Diego State before becoming the Cowboys’ second-round draft pick in 2013. Escobar would spend four seasons in Dallas before stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins.
Escobar last played in the NFL in 2018, finishing his career with 30 catches for 333 yards and eight touchdowns.
While Escobar was best known for his days as an NFL player, he had been working as a firefighter in Long Beach, California, since February.
The Long Beach Fire Department confirmed his death in an Instagram post:
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar,” the post said. “Hired on February 5, 2022, Firefighter Escobar was assigned to Fire Station 3 on B-shift. Firefighter Escobar leaves behind his wife and two young children.”
Tragically, the Cowboys have lost numerous former players, coaches, scouts, and support staff members this year.
This year’s deaths include Escobar, Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright, Ring of Honor member Don Perkins, Dan Reeves, Marion Barber, and Ralph Neely. The Cowboys also lost former scouting director Larry Lacewell, former offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese, former RB coach Gary Brown and Marylyn Love, who served as Jerry Jones’ assistant for over 40 years.