It was a Chamber of Commerce Day at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Not a cloud in the sky, sunny and 75.
25,000 fans packed the stands of the On-Campus Stadium for the 76th playing of the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The story that would unfold next is something so good, Hollywood would struggle to write it.
The game itself honored the life and legacy of Tiger Bech, with all players participating wearing a special emblem on the back of their helmet repping the number 7. Jack Bech wore a special set of Tiger striped cleats for the game as well. Link to twitter images below.
https://twitter.com/jada_theblock/status/1886151939198456071?s=46
The game was a back and forth battle all day, with the National team jumping out to an early lead and maintaining it for the better half of the afternoon.
Late into the game’s 4th Quarter the American Team took over possession after a big defensive stop.
It was a moment in which you just had a feeling something special was about to happen.
However, I doubt anyone could have predicted what came next.
As the American Team marched down the field in the 2 Minute Drill Offense, it seemed as if they may pull it off in a game they never led. But this momentum was stymied for a moment, after a few not so promising plays. The American team sat 4th and Goal at the 2 yard line with 7 seconds left.
Exactly a month to the day prior, The Bech Family had been informed of the news that their son, and Jack’s older brother, Tiger was killed in the New Orleans Attack on the morning of New Years Day. Tiger was 27 years old.
Martin “Tiger” Bech, Jr. was an avid traveler and a former college football player. Tiger wore the number 7 (7 seconds left.)
The snap on what would be the final play of the game came next and landed in the hands of Spencer Henigan, a Memphis TIGER. Henigan rolled to the right flat and found Jack who had switched his Jersey number to 7 for Senior Bowl week to honor his late brother for a walk-off Touchdown.
Bech was immediately overwhelmed, falling to his knees in the end zone. The entirety of both rosters surrounded him and celebrated the moment.
On Monday, Bech joined Nick and Jaret of SportsDrive on 105.5 WNSP to talk about the game and the moment. Below is the link.
Jack Bech is now flying up draft boards and attests the great successes of Senior Bowl week to his Lord and Savior and to his brothers life and legacy.
A feel good story unlike any other happening right here in our back yard!
Bates Sports 