Former NFL star and friend found dead after rock climbing accident

A former NFL star turned firefighter and a filmmaker friend were discovered dead after an apparent rock climbing accident in California.

Gavin Escobar dead in rock climbing accident. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Gavin Escobar, a former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, died in an apparent rock climbing accident in California, he was 31.

Escobar and Chelsea Walsh, 33, were identified as dead by the Riverside County sheriff’s coroner’s office, according to the Palm Springs Desert Sun, the NY Post reports.

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Firefighters discovered the pair dead on Wednesday in the San Bernardino National Forest near Tahquitz Rock.

Escobar was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round in 2013 out of San Diego State University. He played for Dallas from 2013 through 2016.

The former tight end joined the Long Beach Fire Department this past February.

“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,” the Long Beach Fire Department wrote on Instagram.

“Firefighter Escobar leaves behind his wife and two young children.”

It was not immediately clear if Escobar and Walsh were experienced climbers.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the circumstances of the deaths.

After the Cowboys, Escobar spent time with the Chiefs, Ravens, Dolphins and Browns (in a couple of those spots he was on the practice squad or off-season roster, but was not on the active roster during the season).

Forever in our hearts. 💙 pic.twitter.com/Pgp7vZ1ebB

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 30, 2022

In his career, Escobar had 30 catches for 333 yards and eight touchdowns.

In 2019, he played for the San Diego Fleet of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Former NFL star and friend found dead after rock climbing accident