Tiger Bech, a former Louisiana high school football star who went on to play at Princeton, was killed in the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans.
Bech, 28, is the brother of TCU standout wide receiver Jack Bech, who has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft after an impressive senior season with the Horned Frogs.
Tiger died in a New Orleans hospital late on Wednesday morning, with his death being announced by St. Thomas More Catholic High School. The school based in Lafayette, Louisiana will host a prayer service in his memory on Wednesday.
A spokesman said: “The St. Thomas More Catholic High School community mourns the loss of one of our own, Tiger Bech, who passed away early this morning as a result of the New Year attack in New Orleans. Tiger was a 2015 graduate and standout in football, lacrosse, and track and field. “We will host a Rosary Prayer Service for Tiger and the Bech family this evening. Please keep the Bech family in your prayers during this time.”
Ten people were killed and 35 others were injured in the attack, which took place in Bourbon Steet at the heart of the city’s French Quarter at around 3:15 a.m. CT in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
A pickup truck driven by suspect Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. Citizen from Texas, plowed into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year. The 42-year-old then opened fire on law enforcement officers. The FBI has confirmed the suspect was killed in the firefight with the incident being invested as a terrorist attack.
Tens of thousands of football fans were among the revelers in New Orleans, with the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame due to be held at the Superdome at 8:45 p.m. ET on New Year’s Day. The game has since been postponed until Thursday as investigations into the attack continue.
Tiger played as a wide receiver, quarterback, punt returner, and defensive back at St. Thomas More, earning a scholarship to Princeton after receiving all-state honors in high school. At the collegiate level, he starred as a return specialist, twice receiving All-Ivy League recognition.
He finished his career with 53 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns. After graduating in 2021, Bech found work as a trader at New York brokerage firm Seaport Global, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Bech’s 22-year-old brother, Jack, is projected to be a second-day pick at April’s NFL Draft in Green Bay after catching 62 passes for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in his senior season with TCU.
Jack started his collegiate career with LSU in 2021, where he stayed for two seasons before transferring to the Horned Frogs. He is the No. 11 ranked wideout in his draft class, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
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