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ESPN airs powerful feature on Eagles fan attending Super Bowl to honor late CFB player Tiger Bech
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Ahead of Super Bowl 59, ESPN aired a power feature on close friends and college football teammates Ryan Quigley and Tiger Bech and their tragic night in New Orleans.
Quigley and Bech played college football together at Princeton. Quigley is from a Philadelphia suburb, and Bech adopted the Eagles fandom of his close friend. The two roomed together post-grad as financial traders in New York City and frequently traveled together as part of a “work hard, play hard” lifestyle.
The two were in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve to duck hunt, visit Bech’s family and take in the festivities of The Big Easy. Both were hit int he suspected terrorist attack early New Year’s morning. Bech lost his life due, while Quigley is in a wheelchair as he goes through a challenging recovery.
Quigley had vowed to never to return to New Orleans, but he and Bech had promised if the Eagles made the Super Bowl, they would be there. Quigley is back in New Orleans for Super Bowl 59, staying true to their pledge.
Jason Kelce became emotional after the feature aired. The former Eagle was emotional talking about meeting Quigley.
“I had the fortune of meeting Ryan. And his spirit? Right there? You wouldn’t even had known something had happened if he wasn’t in a wheelchair before the Rams game (in the Divisional round),” Kelce said. “On one end, something terrible can happen, then on the other end, something so beautiful can happen. I’m just happy he’s going to be here on behalf of Eagles fans everywhere – hell yeah, Ryan.”
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
