On the final play of the 2025 Senior Bowl, the American team had one play to try and secure victory, trailing the National team by a 19-16 score.
When they lined up for the play, No. 7 came darting across the field and secured the catch as time expired. For TCU, Jack Bech wore No. 18; today, Bech donned No. 7.
Who Is Jack Bech?
Jack Bech completed his college football career this season after two-year stints at LSU and TCU. You can check out his profile on College Football Network here.
Bech didn’t get much run in his first three years, totaling 71 receptions for 835 yards and four touchdowns, but he broke out in a big way in 2024.
As a senior, Bech had 62 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s now added Senior Bowl MVP honors to close his career out. His efforts this season solidified him as a legitimate NFL prospect.
One month ago today, Jack Bech lost his brother, Tiger, in the New Year’s terror attack on Bourbon Street.
Today, Jack wore his brother’s No. 7 in the @seniorbowl and caught the winning touchdown — on a play run with 7 seconds left on the clock. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/hnY1uAMhLh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 1, 2025
NFL.com projects him to develop into a starter in the league with the benefit of coaching, and from there, it is just about finding the right fit.
Why Was Jack Bech Wearing No. 7?
If Bech’s eye-popping 2024 wasn’t enough to bring him attention, the tragedy that he suffered on New Year’s Day brought a lot of attention to his family.
Jack was the younger brother of Tiger Bech, an All-Ivy League kick returner at Princeton in his tenure as a Division I football player who wore No. 7.
He was a part of the 2016 and 2018 Ivy League Champion teams, including Princeton’s first undefeated season since 1964.
Princeton coach Bob Surace said of Tiger, “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. My love goes to the entire Bech family.”
Tiger was celebrating the dawning of 2025 with some friends in New Orleans and was struck by a truck on Bourbon Street that killed 15 people overall. Naturally, Jack was among those who were understandably shocked and saddened by this tragedy.
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
Another layer to the story is that, according to WDSU, Tiger pushed a girl out of the way of the oncoming truck, saving her life.
7 seconds were on clock when American team lined up for final play that resulted in Jack Bech’s walk-off TD. Jack was wearing his brother Tiger’s #7 today. Storybook ending. Couldn’t have scripted 2025 @seniorbowl any better. 🐅#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/u6v5jVGE4D
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 1, 2025
To honor his late brother, Bech wore his brother’s No. 7 for the Senior Bowl, which was a great way to honor his life and legacy in itself. The fact he was named the MVP of the game only served to enhance the tribute.
We send love and well wishes to the Bech family in this tough time, and while it has been an extremely hard month, they have a big reason to smile tonight.