Princeton Football Star Tiger Bech Remembered After New Year’s Day Terror Attack

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Tiger Bech ’21, a former Princeton University football standout known for his magnetic personality and fearless play, was among the 14 victims killed in a New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. The attack, carried out by a truck driver displaying an ISIS flag, also injured approximately 30 others, including Bech’s Princeton teammate Ryan Quigley ’20.

Bech, a wide receiver and punt returner for the Princeton Tigers, was remembered by teammates, coaches, and family as a source of joy and inspiration both on and off the field. “He was like a lightning bolt that streaked across all of our lives,” said Lance Strother, Bech’s high school position coach, in a heartfelt Facebook post. “He lit up our world, and we’ll never forget it.”

The attacker, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran, drove into a crowd early on January 1, 2025, before being killed in a shootout with police. The FBI confirmed the incident as an act of terrorism.

Bech, a Louisiana native from Lafayette, attended St. Thomas More Catholic High School, where he earned all-state honors in football. At Princeton, he majored in sociology and became a key player for the football team, earning All-Ivy honors in 2017 and 2018. He recorded 825 receiving yards during his collegiate career and was known for his toughness and dedication. “He grew immensely in his approach to the details,” said Mark Rosenbaum, Princeton’s quarterbacks coach. “What defined him as a player was his toughness and courage.”

Teammates recalled Bech’s infectious energy and leadership. “He was always having a good time, smiling, and never took anything too seriously — while keeping the important things important,” said Carson Bobo ’23, a tight end on the Princeton team. “He was someone we all looked up to.”

Bech’s funeral in Lafayette drew an overwhelming number of mourners, with lines wrapping around the building. Alumni traveled from across the country to pay their respects. “The love that came from the funeral, oh my goodness … this place was packed,” Bobo said.

At the service, Bech’s younger brother, Jack Bech, a wide receiver at Texas Christian University, shared emotional memories of his brother. “He was my best friend, my role model, my number one fan,” Jack said. “He did everything he set out to do this side of heaven, except for watching me live out my dream of playing in the NFL. But now, he will have the best seat in the house.”

Princeton head football coach Bob Surace ’90 praised Bech’s growth and impact. “He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way — a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate, and a caring friend,” Surace said in a statement. “Our last conversation was about how proud I was of the growth he showed during his time at Princeton and the success he was having after graduation.”

Bech and Quigley, who suffered serious injuries in the attack, had been working together at Seaport Global Holdings, an investment firm in New York City. Victor Kurylak ’79, COO of Seaport, described Bech as “a very positive, energetic young man, exceptional in many ways.”

The tragedy has left the Princeton community and Bech’s loved ones grappling with the loss of a young man who brought light and laughter to those around him. As Strother poignantly wrote, “He was like a lightning bolt … and we’ll never forget it.”