Bech caught the game-winning touchdown for Team American in the Senior Bowl on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. Bech broke down in the end zone following the game-winning catch from Seth Henigan as his teammates mobbed him in celebration.
He did so wearing a No. 7 jersey to honor his brother and former Princeton football player Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech, who was one of 14 people killed in the New Orleans truck attack on New Year’s Day. Following the game, Bech embraced his parents and celebrated by being named the Senior Bowl MVP.
‘It’s simple, my brother has some wings on me,’ Bech said after the game to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. ‘He gave them to me and let all of that all take place. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Tiger, nothing else but them. They are the reason I did what I did today. I attribute it all to them.’
Bech, 22, led the Horned Frogs with 1,034 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in the 2024 season, and a strong week at the Senior Bowl likely will help him garner NFL draft interest.
Here’s what you need to know about Jack Bech:
Jack Bech’s brother, Tiger, dies in New Orleans attack
Tiger Bech, who spent three seasons playing college football for Princeton in 2016-18, was among those killed in the New Orleans attack on Jan. 1. The news was first confirmed by Kim Broussard, the athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, where Bech attended school. Jack Bech later confirmed the news on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
‘Love you always brother,’ Bech wrote on X. ‘You inspired me (every day) now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.’
Bech, who wore No. 13 with TCU, switched to the No. 7 jersey during the Senior Bowl practices and game to honor his brother.
‘I’ve got angel wings on me,’ Bech said to Fox Sports about wearing his brother’s number. ‘I’ve got the greatest guardian angel of them all, pulling me to where I am now. This was his last test for me, knowing if I can get past this, anything that’s thrown at me will be nothing compared to this.’
Jack Bech stats
Bech was a Biletnikoff semifinalist this season after finishing with 1,034 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He had 647 yards and six touchdowns in the first five game of the season.
He began his collegiate career with LSU and finished with 133 catches for 1,869 yards and 13 touchdowns over four seasons.
Bech finished with six receptions for 68 yards, including the game-winning touchdown on a play that started with seven seconds left at the Senior Bowl. He could be a mid-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Here’s a look at Bech’s collegiate stats:
2021 (LSU): 43 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns
2022 (LSU): 16 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown
2023 (TCU): 12 receptions for 146 yards
2024 (TCU): 62 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns
Career: 133 receptions for 1,869 yards and 13 touchdowns