Entertainment

College Football Star’s Brother Identified As Victim Of NOLA Terror Attack

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2025

The younger brother of Texas Christian University star Jack Bech has been reported as one of the victims of a deadly New Orleans terrorist attack on Wednesday that has so far claimed the lives of 15 individuals.

Bech, a senior wide receiver for TCU, lost his brother Tiger Bech, 28, in what authorities say was a vehicle-based attack inspired by ISIS. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, was behind the wheel of a rented truck when it plowed into a late-night crowd on Bourbon Street. Jabbar later exited the vehicle and fired a weapon at bystanders and police officers, hitting at least one before being shot and killed. On social media, Jack Bech confirmed the news, writing “Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us ❤️”

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Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us ❤️ https://t.co/8sSFf564Mb

— Jack Bech (@jackbech7) January 1, 2025

Michelle Bech, the boys’ mother, confirmed news of Tiger’s death as well, telling ABC News her son lived life to the fullest and was “on top of the world.” Tiger Bech, a 2021 graduate of Princeton University, was in Louisiana for a long weekend of hunting and fishing, two of his favorite activities, with college friends, she explained. He was scheduled to fly back home to New York on Wednesday. Michelle Bech said Tiger frequently flew from New York to attend his brother’s games. In a statement, Princeton’s football coach, Bob Surace, praised his former player, an All-Ivy League kick returner, as “a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate, and a caring friend.”

The world of college football has been frozen since the New Year’s Day attack. ESPN reported that the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame was paused after being set to be played later that day. “Public safety is paramount,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said at a media briefing alongside federal, state and local officials, including Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “All parties all agree that it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game.” Hundley said in a later statement to the outlet that work was underway to “take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, fun, and safe event that it has been for over 90 years.”

“The decision to postpone tonight’s Sugar Bowl was made in the best interest of public safety,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “Lives were tragically lost last night and we are appreciative that public officials and law enforcement agencies continue to work with great diligence to ensure the safety of the New Orleans community.”