Former NFL player dies at 31 in tragic rock climbing accident

Gavin Escobar, who played tight end primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, passed away on Wednesday in a rock climbing accident in California.

CBS News in Los Angeles was one of several outlets to report on the tragic accident. Escobar was one of two people to pass away in the accident.

“A man and woman who died while attempting to climb a rock face in Idyllwild were identified on Thursday,” the report said. “Gavin Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, were found at around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after they died during an attempt to climb a rock face near Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout near Humber park in the San Bernardino County Forest, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.”

The Long Beach Fire Department, who Escobar had been working with since February, also announced Escobar’s passing.

The NFL world sent its best wishes to Escobar’s young family upon hearing the tragic news.

Escobar starred at San Diego State. He was Second-team All-Mountain West Conference in 2010 and First-team in both 2011 and 2012. In 2013, he was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

He remained with Dallas through 2013. Escobar then played with the Baltimore Ravens in 2017 and Miami Dolphins in 2018, finishing his professional football career with the AAF’s San Diego Fleet in 2019. Escobar also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns, but was released by both teams before the start of regular season. He finished his NFL career with 30 receptions for 333 yards and eight touchdowns.

[CBS News/Los Angeles, Long Beach Fire]