Photo: Jason Miller
Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar was identified as one of the two people who died while attempting to climb a rock face in Idyllwild in Riverside County, California.
Escobar, 31, and Chelsea Walsh, 33, were found at around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday near Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout near Humber Park, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced via CBS News.
The former NFL player had recently worked as a Long Beach firefighter, the department confirmed in a tweet shared on Thursday night.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar," the department wrote. "Hired on February 5, 2022, Firefighter Escobar was assigned to Fire Station 3 on B-shift.
Escobar, a former two-time first-team All-MWC tight end at San Diego State, was selected by the Cowboys at No. 47 overall in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, spending his first four NFL seasons with the franchise, having also appeared in two games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2017.
"Wow!!!! RIP Gavin Escobar," former Cowboys teammate Dez Bryant tweeted on Thursday night.
Escobar finished his NFL career with 30 receptions for 333 yards and eight touchdowns, making seven starts in 64 appearances.
Jason Whitlock: The Real Reason Eric Bieniemy Isn’t an NFL Head Coach
Chris Broussard: Tom Brady Can No Longer Carry 'Average Joes'
Roger Maris Jr. Says Aaron Judge Should Be HR Record Holder if He Hits #62
Colin Cowherd Ranks the Top 10 NFL Teams After Week 3
Jason Whitlock: Brett Favre Will Become a Political Pawn Like Derek Chauvin
Jason Whitlock: The Real Reason Why the NFL Has So Few Black Head Coaches
Colin Cowherd Says Josh Allen's Playing Style is Not Sustainable
Colin Cowherd Admits He Was Wrong About Jalen Hurts
'They Have Major Problems': Colin Cowherd Says Packers Aren't a Top 10 Team
Jason Whitlock Says Joe Burrow is Suffering From 'Colin Kaepernick Disease'