Jack Bech Looks to NFL Draft with Late Brother in Mind

LAFAYETTE, La. — Jack Bech, a wide receiver from TCU, is eagerly awaiting the NFL Draft this weekend. He will be surrounded by family and friends at his high school in Lafayette, Louisiana, watching as the teams announce their picks. This moment is bittersweet for Jack, as his older brother, Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech, will not be there to share in the excitement.

Tiger Bech was tragically killed in an attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. Jack, reflecting on his brother’s unwavering support, told NBC News, ‘I always believe that God has a greater plan, no matter if you see it working or not. I definitely know that he is in a better place, and that he’s going to be here 100% with us.’

The Bech brothers nurtured a shared passion for football while growing up. Jack fondly remembers Tiger scoring a touchdown on the field at St. Thomas More High School. Tiger went on to have a successful career at Princeton before transitioning to finance.

Despite living in New York, Tiger made a point to attend all of Jack’s home games last season. ‘It was awesome. He was literally going broke. I mean, he was in debt for coming to all my games,’ Jack recalled.

The bond between the brothers fueled Jack’s dreams of going professional. Their father, Martin Bech Sr., stated, ‘They meant everything to each other.’ Just weeks after their family tragedy, Jack scored a game-winning touchdown in his final college game and was named Senior Bowl MVP.

Jack is confident that drafting him would be a smart move for any NFL team. ‘Two-for-one special. … You’re not only getting me, you’re getting Tiger, too,’ he said. ‘I feel like I have another person in me pushing me and taking me to those levels.’

Jack’s mother, Michelle Bech, believes that her son has embraced Tiger’s fearless spirit. As the family heads into NFL draft weekend, they feel a mix of emotions, including overwhelming joy, according to Martin Sr. Jack is projected to be selected on Day 2 of the draft. ‘And now he just has the best seat in the house. … He always wanted to be with me. So now he gets to be with me, just in a different way.’