Historic Senior Bowl finish for TCU wide receiver

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It was a beautiful day for some football. We got to see some of our local legends, and South Alabama, Alabama, and Auburn’s finest, take the field one final time in Mobile for the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Of course, the Mardi Gras spirit was in the air at Hancock Whitney, and we even had a proposal take place during the game.

The National and American teams kept it close all day but the biggest moment, one that couldn’t have been written up any better, came on the final play of the game, when Memphis quarterback Seth Hanigan connected with TCU wide receiver Jack Bech for a walk off TD to get the win for the American squad.

Bech came into the Senior Bowl with a heavy heart. He tragically lost his brother, former Princeton wide receiver Tiger Bech, in the Jan. 1 New Orleans attack. Exactly one month later, on 4th and goal with seven seconds left on the clock, that one-yard touchdown lifted the American team to the 22-19 victory. Bech was wearing his brother’s number today, seven.

Bech was named the Senior Bowl MVP and when he embraced his family following the game, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was a moment that far eclipsed the game of football.

Following that historic Senior Bowl win, a few players stuck around, including Fairhope favorite Riley Leonard who stayed long after the game was over to hang out with fans, sign some autographs, and take some pictures.

It was a great way to cap off the week here in Mobile. Leonard says he’s in awe of the support he’s received from his community, especially this week. It’s something he’ll never take for granted.

“I never try to underestimate it, but you can’t underestimate the support that I have back home so every time I come back it’s a shock to me. It’s really cool to see the younger generation look up to me.”