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TCU Football Star’s Brother Victim In New Orleans Attack
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TCU Football Star’s Brother Victim In New Orleans Attack

Lenny: It’s hard to find the words for something like this, folks—a tragedy that cuts across families, communities, and even the entire world of college football.

On what should have been a week of celebration and excitement for sports fans in New Orleans, an unspeakable act of violence turned Bourbon Street into a scene of heartbreak. Among the 15 lives lost was 28-year-old Tiger Bech, the younger brother of TCU star wide receiver Jack Bech.

Tiger’s story, as told by his mother Michelle Bech, paints a picture of a young man who lived life with a passion that matched his name. A Princeton graduate, an All-Ivy League athlete, and a devoted brother, Tiger was in Louisiana enjoying time with friends, hunting, and fishing—doing what he loved. He was supposed to board a flight back to New York later that day. Instead, his family now faces an unimaginable loss.

Jack Bech’s tribute on social media was raw and heartfelt: “Love you always brother! 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 ❤️” These words, shared in the midst of unimaginable grief, reflect not just brotherly love, but a vow to carry his memory forward.

The attack itself, as authorities have described it, was a vehicle-ramming and shooting incident carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen reportedly inspired by ISIS. The details are harrowing: a rented truck turned into a weapon, innocent bystanders targeted in the chaos, and lives cut short in an instant. Jabbar was ultimately neutralized by law enforcement, but not before inflicting irreversible damage on countless families.

In the wake of the attack, the Sugar Bowl—one of college football’s most celebrated events—was postponed. It’s hard to overstate the weight of that decision.

The Sugar Bowl has been played uninterrupted since 1935, through wars, hurricanes, and national crises. But this tragedy demanded pause. Public safety took priority, and rightfully so.

Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley made it clear that the decision wasn’t taken lightly. With the eyes of the nation on New Orleans, the priority was ensuring safety and honoring the lives lost. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey echoed this, reminding everyone that while football is a cherished tradition, some moments demand reflection, unity, and a shared commitment to healing.

Written by Arthur Higgens - January 6, 2025