Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech was among those killed in a terrorist attack in New Orleans on Wednesday, both his brother and the high school’s former athletic director confirmed.
He was 28 years old.
Bech, whose younger brother played at TCU last season, was injured after a man allegedly rammed a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street and then opened fire early on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. Bech, the athletic director at his high school he told KLFY.comHe was beaten and taken to a local hospital after the attack. They kept him there on life support until his family could arrive.
I will always love you brother! You inspired me every day now you can be with me every moment. I have this T family, don’t worry. This is for us https://t.co/8sSFf564Mb
-Jack Bech (@jackbech7) January 1, 2025
“I will always love you brother!” his younger brother, Jack, wrote on social media. “You inspired me every day, now you can be with me every moment. I have this T family, don’t worry. “This is for us.”
Bech, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, played football at Princeton from 2016 to 2018. He earned second-team All-Ivy League honors as a return specialist his final two seasons.
“He might be the first Tiger to play for us, and that nickname described him as a competitor,” Princeton coach Bob Surace said. he told ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. “He was someone who somehow, like in key moments, stood out and was full of energy, full of life.”
He later worked as a stockbroker in a New York company. Surace said Bech spoke repeatedly with the team after graduation.
“He was just beginning a successful career in the business world,” Surace said. “There were two or three times we had race nights, and you could call him a day in advance, and he would come and share his experiences as a young professional with our team.”
Jack Bech spent the last two seasons playing at TCU after beginning his college career at LSU. The wide receiver had a breakout season last season, racking up 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns on 62 receptions with the Horned Frogs.
As of Wednesday afternoon, at least 10 people were reportedly killed and about 35 others injured in the attack in the French Quarter. FBI officials identified the suspect, who was killed in a shootout with police officers, and said the truck he used was carrying an Islamic State flag, weapons and a “potential” improvised explosive device, according to The New York Times. Other explosive devices were also reportedly found in the area. As a result, officials postponed the Sugar Bowl, which was to feature the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup between Georgia and Notre Dame. That game is now scheduled for Thursday night.