Editor’s Note: Jack Bech’s brother, Tiger, was tragically killed in the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans two weeks after this story was published.

I grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, which is about as south Louisiana as you can get. And down there, it’s all about faith, family and football, in that order. Those three things have always contributed to the core of my life. The only reason I am here today is God opened so many doors for me through this kids’ game I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old, and I couldn’t be more thankful. 

Jack Bech’s 1,034 receiving yards this season rank fourth in program history. The three players ahead of him on that list — Josh Doctson, Quentin Johnston and Jalen Reagor — were all first-round NFL draft picks. Photo by Lily Margaret Greenway

FAITH 

I grew up in a Catholic family who helped catapult me to where I am today. But my faith really became my own when I got to college. Nobody was pushing me to go to church, pray or read my Bible anymore. I had to take the initiative, and over the last year and a half, I have.

Making leaps and bounds in my faith has changed my entire life. I have the confidence to walk into any room and the heart to get to know those around me beyond the surface level.

I try to be a positive, smiling, bright light in what can be a little bit of a dark world. I’m not perfect by any means. I’m far from perfect. But we can all be good people who try to treat others as best as possible.

Jack Bech pauses to pray before TCU’s Oct. 26 game against Texas Tech. Photo by Lily Margaret Greenway

FAMILY

I’ve been through a lot, and only a handful of people have stuck by my side through thick and thin. Those people, my people, are my heroes.

Leaders like Chauncey Franks and Coleman Maxwell have helped me grow so much in my faith, prayed with me and encouraged me constantly. Teammates who have become my best friends for life will stand beside me at my wedding. My coaches, our support staff and everybody in the training and equipment rooms have played their role in shaping me into the man I am today. But at the top of that list are my parents.

My parents have done so much for me that I can’t even begin to list it all. One of the greatest lessons I have taken from them is their joint spirit of resiliency. They taught me to keep pushing through no matter what the circumstances are.

“One of the reasons I want to play football at the next level is to give back to my parents and show them that everything they did for me paid off.”
Jack Bech

Life is gonna hit you — that is inevitable. But what separates people who succeed is whether or not you can stand up and keep fighting back. I know I will get knocked down again and again, but because of the strong morals I was raised with, I’m a fighter.

One of the reasons I want to play football at the next level is to give back to my parents and show them that everything they did for me paid off. I pray every morning for the possibility of joining the NFL to help support not only my family but also my future wife and kids.

My biggest life goal beyond playing professional football is to raise a happy family the way my parents raised me. I never want my kids to doubt how much their parents love them and each other. I hope to give my kids everything they’ve ever wanted and more, show them what kindness is, teach them good morals and love them with everything I have in me.

Jack Bech and his family stand on the field during TCU Football’s 2024 Senior Day pre-game ceremony. Courtesy of the Bech family

FOOTBALL

TCU was at the top of my radar coming out of high school, but I grew up about 45 minutes west of Baton Rouge, so LSU was a part of my hometown culture.

Most of my family went to LSU, so I grew up dreaming of playing football there. When I got an offer from their program during my senior year of high school, I knew I had to take it.

Jack Bech celebrates a 50-yard touchdown catch during TCU’s Sept. 14 game versus UCF. The wideout’s 200 receiving yards against the Knights were a career-high. Photo by Lily Margaret Greenway

I had a great first year at LSU, but after some coaching changes during my sophomore year, I thought it would be best for me to make a change. So, I became a Horned Frog. 

I came to TCU in the midst of injury, but God truly pulled me through it all. I am a firm believer that if you keep God first and you always work hard, no matter what is going on in your life, you will keep outworking people. I don’t let trials and tribulations like injuries pull me down. Instead, I allow them to pull me up and help me grow.   

— As told to Lily Margaret Greenway

Editor’s Note: These responses have been edited for length and clarity.