Klay Thompson, ahead of the crucial game against the Dallas Mavericks, honored his late friend Gavin Escobar. The Golden State Warriors visited the Dallas Mavericks for their last meeting in the regular season. With the game going in favor of the Warriors, Klay decided to make a special gesture for his late friend, who lost his life last fall in 2022.
In doing so, Klay donned the No.89 jersey of the Dallas Cowboys, which his dear friend Gavin wore. He played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2013-2016 before he decided to join the Kansas City Chiefs. Escobar and Thompson both belonged from Rancho Santa Margarita, and both went on to play professional sports. In total, Escobar played for 6 teams in his entire NFL career, before he decided to retire and join the Long Beach Fire department.
Klay arrived at tonight’s game in Dallas repping the number 89 in honor of his friend Gavin Escobar.
Gavin played four seasons as Tight End for the Cowboys during his NFL career. A native of Klay’s hometown of Rancho Santa Margarita, he tragically passed away last fall. pic.twitter.com/zWtvcOlsyE
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 22, 2023
Nonetheless, Thompson honored his friend’s memory with a sweet gesture and ended up with 9 points on the night. He played a total of 35 minutes in the game, it wasn’t one of his best performances. Whatever, the case may be Klay helped his team secure a crucial win in the league. Thompson and Escobar attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School together.
Escobar played collegiate level at San Diego State before he was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round. In his 6-year career in the NFL, he recorded 30 catches, and 8 touchdowns, and ran 33 yards in 62 games. He played as a tight end in the NFL, however, not as popular as the other TE players, but he was a decent player.
Gavin Escobar lost his life in a rock-climbing accident
Former Dallas Cowboys TE Escobar lost his life in a rock-climbing accident in California at 31. The Coroner’s office identified Escobar along with another climber, Chelsea Walsh who was 33 years old. They were found by firefighters after reports came in at noon about an accident involving two people. Both lost their lives in the accident. The former Cowboys TE left behind a wife and two children.
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
— Long Beach Fire (CA) (@LBFD) September 30, 2022
The Long Beach Fire dept. announced Escobar’s death, after his off-duty demise. “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.” the fire department announced. Thompson has not forgotten his childhood friend and paid homage before his game against the Mavs.
