Statements from San Diego State football head coach Brady Hoke and director of athletics John David Wicker

San Diego State Head Coach Brady Hoke
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gavin’s family. I know his wife, Sarah, and daughters, Josey and Charlotte, were everything to him. Gavin was a great man, father, son and teammate, and will be deeply missed by all.”

Director of Athletics John David Wicker
“We are devastated to hear about the passing of Gavin Escobar. Gavin was the epitome of a student-athlete, and a leader on and off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gavin’s family in this incredibly difficult time.”

FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

Gavin Louis Escobar (February 3, 1991 – September 28, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a tight end for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and a season in the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He played for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens from 2013 to 2017, after having played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs.

COLLEGE CAREER

Escobar was awarded a football scholarship from San Diego State University, which he accepted. He played for the Aztecs from 2009 to 2012. After his diagnosis with testicular cancer, he was redshirted as a true freshman and was in remission after the tumor was removed. In 2010, he started 12 games, recording 29 receptions for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns. Despite his decreased role the following year (6 starts in 13 games), his production improved and he finished fifth in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in receptions (51), receiving yards (780), receiving touchdowns (7), and sixth in receiving yards per reception (15.3). During his junior year, he posted 42 receptions for 543 yards and had the fourth-most touchdowns in the conference (6).

During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Escobar was a first-team All-MWC selection. For his college career, he registered 122 receptions for 1,646 yards, 17 touchdowns and did not miss a game. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (47th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft, a surprise choice for the franchise after having mixed results from using previous second-round draft choices in tight ends Anthony Fasano and Martellus Bennett.

COURTESY SAN DIEGO STATE ATHLETICS AND WIKIPEDIA COMMONS