Jack Bech's watch, explained: Why TCU star is wearing brother Tiger's Rolex for NFL Draft

NFL Draft outfits always tend to captivate the masses of NFL fans watching along from their living rooms. Jack Bech's will stand out for a different reason.

There's plenty we don't know about the TCU product's attire. But one thing we do know is that when he does get outfitted with his NFL jersey come the end of this year's spectacle, he'll do so wearing a glitzy Rolex watch.

Wardrobes can often prove sentimental. Jack Bech's is no exception. His wristwatch, adorned with gold and silver accents, pays homage to all he's had and all he's lost. That includes his older brother, former Princeton WR Tiger Bech.

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With that, here's a closer look at Jack Bech's watch, as well as the story behind how he ended up sporting it come draft day.

Jack Bech Rolex watch

When Bech does hear his name called, he'll have a rather touching heirloom wrapped around his wrist; his late brother, Tiger's watch.

The timepiece, a Rolex, was a present Bech's father gifted to Tiger upon his graduation from Princeton. Tiger Bech donned his patrimony regularly, pairing the accessory with his finest furs. He was wearing the watch when he was killed during a deadly attack on Bourbon Street on New Year's Day.

Bech's family spent hours attempting to figure out Tiger's whereabouts as news of the shooting trickled. When the family was alerted that someone matching Tiger's description was undergoing surgery for wounds at a New Orleans hospital, Bech's father arrived on the scene. Doctors brought out the watch for Bech's father to identify Tiger with. Scratched and covered with blood, the piece was all the confirmation the Bech family needed.

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"Whenever they brought it out," Jack Bech told Ryan Clark during an appearance on The Pivot podcast, "he was able to be like 'Yeah, that's my son in there.'"

Tiger Bech died with his Rolex on. Months later, Jack Bech wears the watch as a reminder of what he lost, as well as who he's carrying alongside of him as he works his way up the football ladder.

"I'm never going to wash it, I'm never going to fix it, I'm going to keep it just the way is is," Bech said.

"It's another one of those reminders, just always keep on pressing. This isn't for me, this is for my brother, this is for my family, this is for all the people who have helped me get to this point of my life."

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What happened to Tiger Bech?

Tiger Bech was one of 14 people killed when a truck plowed into Bourbon Street on New Year's Day.

A Princeton football alum who successfully transitioned into a career as a stockbroker, Tiger Bech traveled to New Orleans for the holidays, his mother told ABC News.

"He was just starting a successful career in the business world," Tiger's coach Bob Surace told ESPN. "There were two or three times we had career nights, and you could call him with a day's notice, and he came down and shared his experiences as a young professional with our team."

Across three seasons at Princeton, Tiger Bech caught 53 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. He shined as a return specialist, nabbing All-Ivy League second team honors in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, his sophomore campaign, Tiger Bech averaged a conference-high 10.8 yards per punt return.

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Where did Tiger Bech play college football?

Tiger Bech's glimmering football career saw him join the Tigers in 2016. A three-sport star prior to his Princeton days, Bech played five games for Surace's bunch in his freshman season, nabbing three passes for 43 yards while returning nine punts for 111 yards.

He proved a steady presence on the return team over his remaining two years on campus, posting averages of 9.1 and 10.8 yards per punt return in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

His team was similarly successful during Bech's pomp: in 2017, the Tigers went 10-0, though they weren't able to try their luck in the postseason due to Ivy League rules.

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Where did Jack Bech play college football?

Jack Bech enjoyed a glittering four-year spell in the college game, turning out for LSU during his first two seasons before transferring to TCU in 2023.

He was a notable name as a freshman, leading the team in receptions while placing third in receiving yards in Baton Rouge. Jack Bech saw his production dwindle tremendously as a sophomore, however; Bech produced just 16 catches and 200 yards across 12 appearances in Year 2.

Soon, he opted to try his luck in the transfer portal, finding a home with the Horned Frogs. In 2024, he surged into the national consciousness, eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.

For his efforts, Bech was rewarded with a spot on the Senior Bowl roster. He did not disappoint, either; Bech was named Senior Bowl MVP after snagging the match's game-winning touchdown. He subsequently dedicated his showing to his brother, who died a little more than a month earlier.

"My brother has some wings on me," Jack Bech said postgame. "He gave it to me and he let that all take place."