Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar found dead after apparent rock climbing accident

Gavin Escobar, pictured here in 2013, died in an apparent climbing accident on September 28. (Rick Yeatts/Getty Images/CNN)
Gavin Escobar, pictured here in 2013, died in an apparent climbing accident on September 28. (Rick Yeatts/Getty Images/CNN)
Share

Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar was one of two climbers who died after an apparent accident in California, officials announced on Wednesday. Escobar was 31 years old.

Firefighters attempted to reach two injured rock climbers at Tahquitz Rock near Idyllwild in the San Bernardino National Forest, the Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department said on Twitter on Wednesday.

Later in the day, the department said rescuers reached the location and that "both victims perished at the scene." The Riverside sheriff's coroner's office identified the victims as Escobar and 33-year-old Chelsea Walsh.

Escobar was selected by the Cowboys with the 47th pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.

He played four years in Dallas before moving on to the Baltimore Ravens for one season. He finished his NFL career with 30 receptions and eight touchdowns -- all with the Cowboys.

The Cowboys posted a tribute on their Twitter page late Thursday, remembering the tight end.

Escobar last played in the NFL in 2018.

Earlier this year, Escobar began working as a firefighter for the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD).

In a post on Facebook, the LBFD said: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar."

The LBFD said he leaves behind a wife and two young children.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

DEVELOPING

DEVELOPING Debate gets testy as MPs consider confidence motion in PM Trudeau

MPs debated the first non-confidence motion of the fall House of Commons sitting today, seeing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre push once again for a snap election. But with votes secured to keep them afloat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals were quick to turn the discussion into a referendum on the Conservative alternative.

We've all had neighbours we didn't like, but two people from Sault Ste. Marie have been awarded more than half a million dollars for the 'extreme' behaviour of the people who lived next to them.

An 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in a caught-on-video incident in Mississauga earlier this month is now facing auto theft charges in Toronto.

Premier Danielle Smith says she plans to reinforce the right to decide whether to receive a vaccination or other medical procedure in changes to the Alberta Bill of Rights.

Local Spotlight

An ordinary day on the job delivering mail in East Elmwood quickly turned dramatic for Canada Post letter carrier Jared Plourde. A woman on his route was calling out in distress.

Fire has destroyed a barn and 17,000 plants at a family-owned business in Lower Coverdale, N.B.

Before influencers on social media, Canada’s Jeanne Beker was bringing the world of high fashion down to earth and as Calgary’s Glenbow Museum gets a major make-over, it will include a new exhibition showcasing the pop culture icon.

A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.

A Nova Scotian YouTuber has launched a mini-truck bookmobile.

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

Stay Connected