The football world as whole was struck with tragedy last night, as Gavin Escobar a former Tight End for the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Fleet (AAF) passed away during a rock-climbing accident, along with another person. Escobar who played professional football from 2013 to 2019, was now serving as a firefighter in Long Beach California upon his retirement from football.
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. pic.twitter.com/pOgBFnwH9f
Many players and coaches took to twitter to begin sending their condolences for Escobar and Chelsea Walsh the woman who was with Escobar at the time of his death. One of the coaches to pay tribute to Escobar was Anthony Becht, his Tight End’s coach during Becht’s time with the San Diego Fleet.
A Husband, Father, Friend. I’ve known Gavin Escobar for a decade helping him prepare for his NFL dream as a young college star to coaching him for a season in 2019 w/ the Fleet in the AAF. The ultimate family man and a great human being. He will be missed. 🙏🏼 #RIPpic.twitter.com/P9ulgsKNAh
Per Cal/Riverside Fire and Rescue, the dept. was called around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to Tahquitz Rock near Idyllwild following a distress call, the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said on Twitter. A team climbed into the steep, remote area and found both the climbers had passed away. Escobar was married with two children at the time of his passing.
The death of any person of a young age, always seems to hits hard for many especially when talking about athletes. Often times we look at these men as superheroes and on pedestals when and left in shock when an accident like this occurs. I personally feel it’s crucial that all of fans of any pro sport realize how precious life truly is and that these professional athletes are more than what they are on the field. For a man like Escobar, football was a part of his life and despite the dangers of playing his sport, he passed away doing something I do almost every other weekend and I’m sure many of readers do as well. Regardless, the at NewsHub, sends their condolences to the Escobar family, who not only was a football player, but a firefighter, a son, a husband, and a father. Rest In Peace Gavin.
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Pat Rifino is a former Security Contractor turned writer. He began his writing career talking about geo-politics, and the defense industry. Now Pat writes about alt-league football, while hanging with his dogs in his off time.