Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar and another woman died Wednesday in a rock climbing accident near Southern California, authorities said.
The Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said rescuers were called around 12:30 p.m. local time to Tahquitz Rock, near Idyllwild, after a distress call. Officials said rescuers failed to climb into a rugged remote area and found the climbers dead.
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Gavin Escobar #89 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 13, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The climbers were identified as Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33.
Escobar played in the NFL from 2013 to 2017 with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. He had 30 catches for 333 yards and eight touchdowns in his career. He finished his football career Alliance of American of Football.
Light rain fell in the area on Wednesday, but it was unclear if it played a factor in the climbers’ deaths. Tahquitz Rock is known for its steep granite cliffs.
February 17, 2019; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Fleet tight end Gavin Escobar (89) runs with the ball after a sack during the first half against the Atlanta Legends at SDCCU Stadium.
(Orlando Ramírez-USA TODAY Sports)
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Escobar started working at the Long Beach Fire Department in February. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The San Diego State Fire Department, Cowboys and his alarm father sent their condolences on Twitter.
“We are devastated to hear about the passing of Gavin Escobar. Gavin was the epitome of a student-athlete and leader on and off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gavin’s family at this incredibly difficult time ,” San Diego State said. AD John David Wicker said in a statement.
November 2, 2014 – Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar (89) warms up before a football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
(Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Two Los Angeles climbers fell 200 feet to their deaths on the rock in 2000, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
