A former NFL player was one of two rock climbers who were found dead Wednesday in a remote area in Southern California after apparently falling down a mountain.
The Riverside County sheriff’s coroner’s office identified the victims as 31-year-old Gavin Escobar and 33-year-old Chelsea Walsh.
Escobar played tight end for the Dallas Cowboys for four seasons starting in 2013 and ending in 2016. After his stint in Dallas, the 6-foot-5 and 250-pound athlete signed contracts with several teams in a backup capacity before eventually washing out of the NFL.
The Dallas Cowboy’s tweeted out a picture of Escobar, writing, “Forever in our hearts.”
The Riverside County Fire Department tweeted about the incident once they had received an alert about the accident.
“Inaccessible Rescue:rpt@12:25 Tahquitz Rock, Idyllwild,” the fire department tweeted on Wednesday. “Report of two injured rock climbers. Firefighters are attempting to hike to the victim’s location. Mountain Rescue Team requested.”
The Long Beach Fire Department, where Escobar served as a firefighter after hanging up his cleats, responded to the tragedy by releasing a statement about the former NFL player.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar,” the department said. “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,” the department continued. “Firefighter Escobar leaves behind his wife and two young children.”
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