Loved ones, teammates, and coaches are remembering former Princeton football player Martin “Tiger” Bech who was killed in a deadly terrorist attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans.
Bech, 27, a former wide receiver for the Tigers, was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and had been visiting family for the holidays. He was a trader in New York at Seaport Global Holdings.
The Princeton University graduate was one of 14 victims killed in the deadly attack by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, who the FBI now says acted alone, according to reports. Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, was fatally shot by police in a shootout after driving a rented Ford F150 truck around a police barricade speeding through crowds of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
At least 35 people have been injured in the attack by Jabbar, who the FBI says was inspired by the terrorist group ISIS. One of the injured is another former Princeton football player Ryan Quigley, a former running back for the Tigers and a close friend of Bech, who also works at Seaport Global Holdings.
Quigley was with Bech when they were struck by Jabbar, according to a GoFundMe page established by friends of Bech and Quigley to support Quigley’s recovery as he undergoes treatment and honor Bech.
He posted to social media site X, “I love you forever pal” on a X post by Princeton football on the passing of Bech.
Quigley was recently released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to Princeton Athletics and the Princeton football program.
“It has been difficult to understand what has happened in New Orleans last week, but we are so grateful that Ryan Quigley has been released from the hospital,” said Bob Surace, head coach of Princeton football in a released statement on Jan. 7.
“Ryan and Tiger Bech were teammates, co-workers and best friends. Princeton Football is incredibly grateful for the incredible love and support shown to the Bech and Quigley families during this difficult time. We will continue to grieve together over the tragic loss of Tiger and give Ryan the support he needs as he continues his recovery.”
Bech’s younger brother, Jack Bech, a wide receiver for Texas Christian University (TCU), posted on social media – “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.”
In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Jack Bech described his last phone call with his brother Tiger Bech hours before New Year’s Eve.
“It was another phone call. Like I said that was my best friend, my inspiration, my role model. We talked every day. He was the first person I told about whatever it was – good, bad, indifferent,” Jack Bech said.
“We thought it was going to be another regular conversation. I was just showing him I was at my uncle’s house in Dallas, and he was in New Orleans at my parents’ house eating. I was showing him what we were eating, and he was showing us what he was eating.”
He added, “the last words we ever told each other was that I told him to be safe and that I loved him, and he told me how much he loved me. Hung up the phone and that was last time I ever spoke to him.”
Family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes at Tiger Bech’s funeral, which was held on Jan. 7 in Lafayette at Cathedral of St. John.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and the state paid tribute to Bech that day by flying flags at half-staff.
Bech graduated from Princeton in 2021. While a player on the university’s football team he was a part of the 2016 and 2018 Ivy League Championship teams. He was not just a wide receiver for the team, but a return specialist earning two All-Ivy honors.
In his Princeton college career as a receiver, he had 53 catches for a total of 853 yards and earned three touchdowns.
“He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way – a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend,” Surace said of how appropriate Tiger Bech’s nickname was of any player he coached. “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.”
Quigley during his time at Princeton was also a part of football program’s 2016 and 2018 Ivy League Championship teams. He played in 33 games and finished with 1,192 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a receiver he collected 40 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdown.
Gov. Phil Murphy on Jan. 2 posted on social media platform X, “Devastated to learn that one of the victims of the terrorist attack in New Orleans was Princeton alum Tiger Bech. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Yale Head Football coach Tony Reno wrote on social media, “Thoughts and prayers from Yale Football are with the Bech and Princeton Football family during this difficult time.”
Tiger Bech
Ryan Quigley
This story has been updated to include additional information and comments from Ryan Quigley and Princeton football coach Bob Surace.
