“Hard to be Excited Right Now About Games”: NFL World Saddened After 31-Year-Old Former Dallas Cowboys Player Tragically Passes Away

The tragic death of former Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar came across as saddening and untimely for many. The 31-year-old has been serving as a firefighter for the Long Beach Fire department for the past few months. Upon the announcement of this tragic news, fans and players alike took to social media to pay their respects, and fondly remember his NFL days.

Escobar was picked in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Cowboys and played with them for 3 seasons. Despite being used as a reserve, he had a 30/48 for 333 yards, with 8 touchdowns and only a single fumble in 62 games. 

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They rarely used Escobar in his rookie season, having only 9 receptions for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns to his name. His second season saw him remain a backup, but James Hanna soon passed him on the depth chart. Escobar finished his second season with 9 receptions for 105 yards and 4 touchdowns, primarily used on the special teams, or as a red zone target.

He stayed a third-string tight end for his third season. He could only manage 8 receptions for 64 yards, before suffering a season-ending injury, tearing his Achilles Tendon. Although he made a quick recovery, he was again passed on the depth chart by Geoff Swaim. 

Escobar remained a core part of the special teams, returning to the backup TE role, finishing the season with 4 receptions for 30 yards and a single touchdown.

After Dallas, Escobar signed short stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns, and the Miami Dolphins. His last football club was the San Diego Fleet, part of the now defunct Alliance of American Football.

NFL Community reacts to the tragic death of Gavin Escobar

Dez Bryant was one of the few players to respond to this tragic news. Taking to Twitter, he posted the following tweet: 

Fans flocked to post their own forms of condolences for the late player.

Former Cowboys player Tony Casillas also had a few words to say.

San Diego, Escobar’s alma mater, and the Dallas Cowboys, both paid moving tributes to him.

It seems Escobar managed to touch the hearts of fans off the field too.

The Long Beach Fire Department also paid their respects to their fellow first responder. 

Even political commentator and columnist Ben Shapiro responded to this sad news.

Escobar died on Wednesday, in a rock climbing accident with fellow climber Chelsea Walsh, who also suffered the same sad fate. Even though there was a light shower earlier that day, officials have not yet listed it as a significant cause of the accident. Escobar is survived by his wife and 2 children.

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