Jack Bech will suit up for the Las Vegas Raiders in his debut NFL season. The TCU͏ wide receiver was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He is likely to grow into a solid WR2 for the franchise.
Bech revealed the heartfelt story behind his jersey number for the upcoming season.
Jack Bech’s Emotional Reason Behind Choosing No. 18 Jersey
Bech clocks in at 6’1″ and 214 pounds, with a 34.5-inch vertical, 19 reps on the bench press, and a 4.6 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. He was drafted 58th overall in this year’s NFL Draft. He will don the number 18 on his back in the 2025 NFL season.
The number on his back is a wholesome tribute to his elder brother, Tiger Bech, who played football for the Princeton Tigers and was tragically killed in the deadly New Orleans terrorist attack in January 2025.
“So, 18 is the number I chose whenever I got to TCU. The reason I still wear it is because it’s the last season my brother got to see me play football in,” Bech said. “It gave me a lot of good energy and good vibes. I just wanted to continue that and carry his legacy on.”
Jack Bech wears his heart on his jersey 🫶@jackbech7 | @raiders pic.twitter.com/7G3DYNEVzE
— NFL (@NFL) June 7, 2025
Bech pointed out that Randy Moss wore the No. 18 for the Raiders, and it’s pretty cool to be able to wear a number that a great wore. He also loves watching Justin Jefferson, who also wears the same number on his shirt.
“Be the best teammate that I can be. Best team player I could be and help my team go and win as many games as possible.” Bech said about his goals.
Jack and Tiger shared a close bond, and during the 2025 NFL Draft, Jack honored his late brother by wearing his Rolex. He also carries his memory through tattoos dedicated to Tiger’s life. Jack said that whatever team drafts him will get both he and his brother.
The TCU pass catcher wrote a touching letter to his late brother after getting drafted by the Raiders. In the letter, Jack imagines Tiger reading his words from a familiar place—“Sitting on our couch back home. (You know the one. Your napping couch!) Lounging. Sweatpants mode. Pillow behind your back. Holding this letter in your hands.”
Then, in his mind, he hears Tiger’s voice filled with pride and joy: “We did it, Big Bro! We actually did it!!!!!!! We made it to the league! Our dream came true!” He recalls Tiger as the first one to see greatness in him.
He ends the letter with a promise: “Everything I do going forward, it’s going to be all about making you proud… Me and you, together forever. 7 to Heaven, Jack.”
Bech does have good size, body control, toughness, though, and has great strength to go along with sudden hands. He’ll have to work on breaking past press coverage and creating space, but he could be a great asset for the Raiders.