Just hours after ringing in the New Year in New Orleans, tragedy struck as a terrorist drove a truck through a crowd in the French Quarter district, killing 15 and injuring 30 people.
Among those injured was former Princeton football player Ryan Quigley, who broke bones in his leg, back, and face, requiring surgery and several days in the hospital.
Quigley's best friend who was with him, Tiger Bech, was tragically killed during the incident.
A Montgomery County native, Quigley was invited to go to the Eagles' Divisional Round Playoff game against the Rams, where he met several players and coaches as he sat in a wheelchair recovering from his injuries.
A little more than a week later, the lifelong Eagles fan was invited to the NovaCare Complex, where he would receive an unbelievable surprise.
Quigley arrived at Philadelphia's practice facility with Bech's sister, Ginnie, and her friend Lauren. The wheelchair was gone, and Quigley was now on crutches as he furthered his recovery.
"It's been an absolute roller coaster. It's been obviously devastating and tragic of everything that happened with Tiger, then myself down in New Orleans. But it's honestly been so special and so uplifting too, with how many people have come together from all over the world that have known Tiger and loved him. It's been truly unbelievable. There are no words to really describe how much he meant to so many people," Quigley said.
"Everything that the Eagles have done from being around the facilities today and the Divisional Round, to helping us share his story, there's no words to describe it. We're forever grateful to have the opportunity to tell the rest of the world how special Tiger was."
The main message given by Quigley throughout the day was about Tiger Bech living through all of them. He converted his best friend Tiger, a Louisiana native, into an Eagles fan. The two had a dream of going to watch the Birds in a Super Bowl.
About halfway through the tour of the NovaCare Complex, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham walked out of the weight room with two Super Bowl tickets in his hands.
"I've always heard about these stories. But Brandon (Graham) came up and gave me those tickets, I broke down. To be a part of that story and to share it with the Eagles in helping them share Tiger's story, I mean, it truly means the world," Quigley said.
It was a full circle moment for the two, as Graham and other Eagles players sent Quigley encouraging video messages when he was in the hospital recovering after the attack.
The day he spent at the Eagles' practice facility was one he will never forget, as Quigley, Ginnie, and Lauren got to hold the Lombardi Trophy, eat in the same cafeteria the players do, and go inside the locker room all while honoring the life of Tiger Bech.
"New Year's Eve was my first time in New Orleans ever, it was my first night, and I told myself it was going to be the last. But then I thought about it, because all year I've been telling Tiger if the Eagles make the Super Bowl this year, I promised him I was going to take him and he's from Louisiana," Quigley said.
"I think, not letting evil win and evil will not prevail. I think we're going to go back to New Orleans and leave on a positive note from that city, given that Tiger's from there and that I promised him I was going bring him down to the Super Bowl. I'm looking forward to it for sure."
The two best friends lived and worked together in Manhattan after their playing days at Princeton. Quigley was a running back and Bech was a wide receiver, so it wasn't the first time in a locker room for him during the tour.
"I haven't really been back to a facility in so long. Growing up an Eagles fan, I always knew what the NovaCare Complex was about, but seeing the ins and outs of it and all the quotes and memorabilia, it's truly special. It just proved to me that everyone I met here today – they're phenomenal people. I always knew they're good football players, but they're phenomenal people off the field as well,' Quigley said.
Everything he does is for Tiger Bech.
"Tiger was my best friend. He had such an infectious personality. He was a ball of light, a ton of energy, extremely hard worker. He had a great personality, but he truly had an ability to make everyone feel like they were his best friend from the moment they met him. I mean, he was such a special character. Characteristics that I've never seen before, and he always had a smile on his face. And, no matter what, he brought positive energy and positive light to the room. He was, he was truly one of a kind," Quigley said.
"Everyone that I meet moving forward, I want to introduce Tiger as well, because of how special he was and how much character he had. He had no problem going to like anywhere in the world and fitting into different cultures. And he was just a super well-rounded individual with a ton of qualities that I'm going to make sure people know about for the rest of my life."
– Written by Liam Wichser
