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Gavin Escobar: Former Dallas Cowboys tight end killed in horrific rock climbing accident at age 31

A former NFL player was one of two rock climbers who were found dead in a remote area near Idyllwild

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A rock climbing accident near Southern California claimed the lives of two people, including former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar and another woman on Wednesday, September 28. Rescuers were called to Tahquitz Rock near Idyllwild at around 120 pm local time after receiving a call for help, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. They discovered the climbers dead after ascending a steep, remote area, according to officials. Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, were identified as the climbers, reported NBC news.

From 2013 to 2017, Escobar participated in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. During his career, he had 30 catches for 333 yards and 8 touchdowns. He retired from football with the Alliance of American Football.

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In the tragic accident that took place on Wednesday, there was some light rain in the area, but it was unclear if that had anything to do with the climbers' deaths. Tahquitz Rock is a well-known climbing location, 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The granite cliffs at Tahquitz Rock are notoriously steep. Gavin Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, fell Wednesday at Tahquitz Rock, said Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt Brandy Swan. The sheriff's records did not indicate the cause of death. Swan stated that it seemed like a "complete accident" that they died. She claimed that despite recent rain, it didn't seem like the weather was a factor. 

On Twitter, the fire department, Cowboys, and Escobar's alma mater San Diego State expressed their condolences. Long Beach Fire (CA) tweeted, "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 Cowboys posted Escobar's photo and wrote, "Forever in our hearts." In another post on Twitter, San Diego State Football wrote "We love you, Gavin."

As per NBC News, San Diego State AD John David Wicker said in a statement, "We are devastated to hear about the passing of Gavin Escobar. Gavin was the epitome of a student-athlete and a leader on and off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gavin's family in this incredibly difficult time."

Escobar is survived by his wife and two children.

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