New Orleans has been shaken by the tragic loss of standout football player Tiger Bech, whose life was taken in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The 27-year-old, known for his time at Princeton University and his roots at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Louisiana, was enjoying the festive atmosphere on Bourbon Street when he was struck down during a horrific incident involving a vehicle driven by terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar. This unfortunate event resulted in the deaths of at least 14 others and left many more injured.
In the wake of this tragedy, Marty Cannon, who was Bech’s high school coach and is now the principal at St. Thomas More, shared heartfelt memories of the young man. “When we lose someone, it always hurts. To lose someone like Tiger and then to lose him in such a tragic way on a holiday when he had come into town to be with family and friends, just tragic,” Cannon remarked during an interview.
He emphasized the close bond within the Bech family and the tight-knit community that mourns this loss. “Our thoughts and prayers definitely go out to the Bech family. They are a close, close family that we deeply love, and they love St. Thomas More. So, a lot of people are hurting today,” he expressed.
Beyond his accomplishments on the football field, Cannon stressed that Bech was a person of many talents and interests. “Tiger wasn’t just a football player. He had a ton of depth to him,” he said. “Rarely did you even talk about football with Tiger. He was very invested in talking about family, career aspirations, and learning.” Cannon fondly recalled their last meeting just two days before Christmas, stating, “I’m very thankful that I got to see Tiger one last time. I’m definitely appreciative.”
This tragic incident has left a profound impact on the community, reminding everyone of the fragility of life and the memories that will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved Tiger Bech.
