is arena football back in nashvilleAnd it couldn’t come soon enough for some longtime fans.
“I hope they realize what a good thing they had,” said Bob Bubnis of Bowling Green, who was a die-hard Cats fan when the team was here from 1997 to 2001 and 2005 to 2007. “Before, it was amazing. We’re excited. (His son Bob Jr.) had trouble sleeping last night too. As soon as we found out they were coming back, I expect a lot of other people who had trouble sleeping, too. Hui.
“Nashville needs football like this in the offseason.”
Making their third stint in Nashville, the Cats opened the season on Saturday night at Municipal Auditorium, defeating the Minnesota Myth 47–12 in front of an announced attendance of 5,704.
Although the arena was about half full during the game, the crowd was still loud and lively. Pregame festivities included a performance by Blanco Brown, who sang the national anthem.
“The fan base is still here,” Cats President of Football Operations Jeff Fisher Said. “Some of the demographics are different. People want to have a good time (come and go) every day. It’s a good time.”
The crowd’s enthusiasm for the Cats’ players did not diminish.
“That’s what I expected… I expected nothing less from the Nashville fans,” said quarterback Ramon Atkins, a veteran of the Indoor Football League before joining the Cats. “I was waiting for it, and they came out and showed it. Every single one of us felt what they were giving us tonight. We brought that energy to the field.”
Nashville Cats field veterans to launch new team
Fisher and Cats Play-by-play announcer Eli GouldThe longtime voices of University of Alabama football are big names helping usher in a new era of ‘Cats football.
But both entered this season with completely different backgrounds with indoor football. In fact, Fisher, the former coach of the Tennessee Titans and LA Rams, admitted that he never had time to watch his former Cats teams play.
“I didn’t even know they were practicing behind us at the indoor (practice facility) at night,” Fisher said, adding that he was able to stay with the team longer the second time around. When Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams also owned the Cats.
Fischer was most recently Head coach of the Michigan Panthers of the USFL Eddie George was a consultant on the Tennessee State football staff in 2023 and 2021. Why is Arena Football and the Cats their latest football venture?
“This city has blessed me and my family,” Fischer said. “I’m trying to keep going, and always say thank you somehow. This is one of those ways. It’s entertainment. It’s fun. There’s still a big fan base here, and we’re going again.” “Introduce it to a new generation. It’s a fun opportunity to bring back something that was special to many families.”
Gould, who spent 35 years behind the mic at Alabama, was eager to take advantage of the new opportunity after being a broadcaster for the AFL in the past.
“I’ve attended several Arena Football League games over the years,” said Gould, who joined Nashville Predators announcer Pete Webber during Saturday’s opener. “I know the game well. I’m excited about it. It’s a great product.”
“It was really (a great atmosphere on Saturday). A great crowd came out. I’m excited how it went.”
Nashville Cats beat Minnesota Myth in opener
The Cats dominated the opener to take a 47-0 lead with a 47-12 win over Meath.
Atkins was 8th of 14 for 161 yards and four touchdowns to lead Nashville, which outgained Minnesota in yardage 234–74.
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her on
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