Anthony Becht's football life: first-round NFL pick, coach, broadcaster, father

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The call came from Wren Baker over the summer and Anthony Becht immediately had a question for the WVU athletics director. Baker informed Becht that he had been inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

“It’s humiliating,” Becht said in Thursday’s edition of Citynet Statewide Sportsline. “There have been a lot of great players that have put on a West Virginia jersey. When I got here and Coach Nehlen decided to offer me a scholarship, I don't think they had “HOF” in the future. And I didn’t think so.”

There was a problem. The induction ceremony was scheduled for Sept. 21, the same day Anthony's son Rocco was in Ames, Iowa, ready to lead his Iowa State Cyclones against Arkansas State. Becht asked Baker if he could accept his honor and be recognized at Milan Puskar Stadium three weeks later, when the Cyclones came to Morgantown.

“Man, is it possible not to be a diva in this whole thing, I’m not that guy. (Baker) said, “We've talked about how this could turn out. 'Let me see'.

“And they managed to achieve that.”

Becht will take the field Saturday night when his son's team takes on his alma mater. The next question for Becht is where to sit during the game.

“They have these nice seats for me. Nice seats in the club, but it's in the middle of West Virginia (fans). I guess they told me the Iowa State fans are in the corner. So I have all these tickets that I got from Rocco that are up there where my friends and family are going to be. Then I wear my jersey and then change into another one when I come on the field. It was fun to tone all that down.”

Becht arrived in West Virginia on Tuesday to begin the week of celebrations. His wife, DeeAnn, is from Clarksburg and their family still lives in Harrison County. On Thursday, Becht met with his former coach Don Nehlen.

Breakfast with the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/3vbFnFCSgh

— Anthony Becht (@Anthony_Becht) October 10, 2024

“This is a special weekend. I'm totally on fire. It started with breakfast (Thursday) morning with Coach (Don) Nehlen. Man, he's sharp. He just tells stories.

“I picked up my daughter (Olivia) today and drove back. I stopped by the facility and she was able to see some photos of Dad. Now she knows I was a real guy when I played here. And I got to say hello to Neal (Brown) and some of the staff that I know.”

Becht has enjoyed a full football life and retirement after an 11-year NFL career did little to slow him down. Becht was selected in the first round by the New York Jets in 2000. He later played for the Buccaneers, Rams, Cardinals and Chiefs.

When his playing career ended, Becht began broadcasting as a color commentator for ESPN. While his son Rocco became a Division I prospect at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Florida, Anthony joined the coaching staff.

In 2021, Rocco signed with Iowa State as a quarterback. A year later, he made it into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman. Rocco was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year after rushing for 3,120 yards and 23 touchdowns. This year, the Cyclones are 5-0 and ranked No. 11 nationally.

“When you watch, you just feel so proud because I know how hard it is to play at this level, let alone as a quarterback. I give him a lot of credit. He's a great kid and much more advanced than I ever was. He's just a great person. We enjoy it.

“When I talk to him all week, I don't tell him what I saw. I ask questions. “Tell me about it. 'What is that?' And I hear these things and I know what I hear. He understands it well every day. It keeps me going. And as a coach now you just watch film.”

Anthony will soon begin his third season as head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League. The Battlehawks have had consecutive 7-3 seasons.

“I love building a team. I'm very, probably more than (Bob) Stoops and Wade Phillips and those other coaches, along with my GM, very involved in building the team. And I also love the personnel side. I'm a male CEO, so I know how to delegate. I have a great staff, great all-star staff. All of these guys should be in the NFL.”

On Saturdays in the fall, Anthony attends all of Rocco's games and that's just the first half of his football weekend. That fall, Becht became a color commentator for New York Jets radio broadcasts.

“It's interesting. Now, as a coach and player, I have two perspectives when attending Jets games. I’m looking at both sides now.”