The new year did not begin on a pleasant note for college football fans. And for the Princeton football fans, it has been even more traumatic. After all, they lost their former wide receiver Martin “Tiger” Bech. The young soul lost his life to the New Orleans attack on New Year’s Day. But the show must go on. However, the CFB world comes with a heartfelt gesture to pay tribute to the talent gone too soon. For that, they have chosen the Senior Bowl. Now this has been truly heart touching for Bech’s sister, Sophia, who shared her support on social media.
That’s how unpredictable life always has been. People were basking in happy spirits on New Year’s Day while for the college football fans, the excitement was double. The Sugar Bowl and the much-awaited Georgia Bulldogs vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish were scheduled on January 1. However, the universe had other plans. As per the reports, an armed man drove a speeding truck into a New Year’s Eve celebration. So, the Bowl game had to be postponed to the next day. Just when the college football fans thought that things could not get any worse, they got the devastating news. Out of the 14 people who lost their lives, Princeton phenom Tiger was one of the victims. The Lafayette native was visiting New Orleans for the holidays when he was reportedly killed while returning to his hotel with a friend.
Weeks later, the CFB world would pay Tiger a tribute whose life had been cut short only at 27. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy made the big announcement on Saturday, January 25. Nagy noted that Tiger’s brother, TCU wide receiver Jack Bech, will switch from No. 18 to his brother’s No. 7 for the Senior Bowl. This must be a truly emotional moment for Tiger’s family. Their sister was the first one to share her love in the comment section, seeing Jack taking to the gridiron to honor Tiger. She wrote, “My boys. My brothers.” She paired the message with a couple of emojis.
In Reese’s Senior Bowl, every player will have a tiger-striped helmet sticker with No. 7 on it. Even though Tiger had a short stint at Princeton, from 2016 to 2018, he registered 53 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns. Plus, his greatest strength has been as a return specialist, earning All-Ivy League Second Team honors in that role twice. He even bagged a pair of Ivy League Titles. Now Tiger’s legacy will be carried forward by his little brother.
Brother Jack Bech living to keep Tiger Bech’s legacy alive
Jack has been deeply moved by Tiger’s demise. He and his family could not forget how the WR had dinner with his family in New Orleans and then went to Bourbon Street with his best friend. In an interview, the TCU Horned Frogs receiver, Jack, said, “Now, each day on will be the hardest day of my life. Just living there, knowing I can’t speak to him ever again.” But at least he can make his brother feel proud from above.
As Tiger’s brother said, “There’s scratches on the watch and bl- -d on the watch. And I’m going to keep it exactly the way it is and never going to clean it.” In this way, the timepiece would stay as a reminder of how Jach will have to make Tiger proud by hook or crook. Does the brother have the potential to do so?
Definitely. Martin “Tiger” Bech’s brother had a breakout season in 2024, with 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns on 62 catches. Jack became the only fifth TCU player to top 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Before making it to TCU, he played two collegiate seasons at LSU. The 2025 Senior Bowl will be played on Feb. 1 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. With Jack stepping onto the field alongside college football giants like Jaxson Dart, Dillon Gabriel, and Jalen Milroe, you can bet his late brother is smiling down with pride.
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