Former Dallas Cowboy Gavin Escobar dies in climbing accident on Southern California peak

Two people, including former Dallas Cowboy Gavin Escobar, died while they attempted to scale a scenic peak in southern California, officials said.

The fatal climbing accident occurred on Wednesday near Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout, within the San Bernardino National Forest. Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department responded around 12:30 p.m. to Tahquitz Rock, a series of looming granite cliffs popular with climbers. They were forced to climb through a steep remote area to reach the climbers, who were already dead when rescue crews arrived.

A small amount of rain fell in the area earlier in the day, but officials didn’t immediately say if weather was a factor in the deaths.

Gavin Escobar of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. (Ronald Martinez/)

The pair were later identified as 33-year-old Chelsea Walsh and 31-year-old Escobar. He played tight-end for the Dallas Cowboys from 2013 to 2016 before brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. Escobar wrapped his football career in 2019 with the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.

The Dallas Cowboys paid tribute to their former player with a photo shared on social media.

“Forever in our hearts,” the caption reads.

More recently, Escobar served as a firefighter in Long Beach. He started in February.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar,” the department tweeted. “Firefighter Escobar leaves behind his wife and two young children.”