Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar, 31, dies after rock climbing incident

Sad news came out of California on Wednesday, as former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar was found dead. He was one of two people, with the other being identified as Chelsea Walsh, involved in a rock climbing incident. Escobar was just 31 years old.

After his football career wrapped up, Escobar moved out west and lived in Huntington Beach. Walsh was a resident of the area as well. Escobar worked as a firefighter with the Long Beach Fire Department as his post-football career.

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Escobar was a second-round pick of the Cowboys during the 2017 NFL Draft, coming out of San Diego State. He spent four seasons in Dallas, working mainly with quarterback Tony Romo. Dak Prescott also had the tight end during his rookie season.

In total with Dallas, Escobar brought in 30 receptions, going for 333 yards and eight touchdowns. The 2014 season was easily his best, having a career-high nine receptions for 105 yards and four touchdowns.

Escobar played for four other teams after moving on from America’s team but only got playing time with the Baltimore Ravens. The Kansas City Chiefs and and Cleveland Browns signed the tight end to the practice squad. While the Miami Dolphins signed him to the active roster, Escobar never saw playing time.

His final professional football appearance came in 2019, with Escobar participating in the AAF with the San Diego Fleet.

Playing his college football at San Diego State, there was some adversity Escobar had to deal with. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was active in fundraising for the disease once he beat it. Escobar was able to overcome the odds, get back onto the football field in college, and become a draft pick in the NFL before a nice career.