NASHVILLE, June 3, 2017– Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives, led by State Representative Bryan Terry, MD (R-Murfreesboro), are honoring the Nashville Predators and their fans with a proclamation of support.

 The proclamation will be presented to Predators fan Jacob Waddell before game three of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday evening. Waddell made news headlines earlier this week for throwing a catfish on the ice during game one in Pittsburgh back on Monday night.  With the Nashville Predators down two games, House members want the Predators and their fans to know that they appreciate their passion and stand with them as the team returns to the ice in Smashville.

Although the Tennessee General Assembly has already concluded the 2017 legislative session and many members are home for the summer, more than 60 signed on to the proclamation in bipartisan support, including House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) and State Representative Bill Beck (D-Nashville).

“The Predators have the most passionate fan base in all of hockey,” said Representative Terry.  “I think Jacob proved the extent of that passion and support when he threw the catfish on the ice Monday night. Throughout the playoffs, the team has asked fans to ‘Stand with us’, and we are standing with fans like Jacob Waddell to back the Western Conference Champions.”

In 1952, an octopus was thrown on the ice in support of the Detroit Red Wings to signify the eight wins they needed to capture Lord Stanley’s Cup. Sixty-five years later, tossing a catfish onto the ice has become a rallying cry for Predators fans. Following the incident Monday evening, Waddell was escorted from PPG Paints Arena and charged with disorderly conduct, disrupting a meeting, and possession of an instrument of a crime. Eventually, all charges were dropped.

“I think cooler heads prevailed in Pittsburgh; after all, it is a tremendous sports town and is the home to some of the greatest teams and moments in sports history. The Steel City’s storied past includes the 1979 ‘We Are Family’ Pirates, the 1972 Steelers, who were known for Franco Harris and the ‘Immaculate Reception,’ as well as their four hockey championships,” explained Representative Terry who works in the same medical facility as Waddell.  “I am sure that in the end, the fans, the police, and even the Pittsburgh Mayor appreciated Jake’s passion for the Predators and the Legend of the Catfish.”

Rep. Terry will present the proclamation to Waddell at 4 PM Saturday evening. The presentation will take place at Losers Bar and Grille in Nashville prior to the start of game three. An additional copy of the proclamation will be given to the team. 

Bryan Terry, MD serves as Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Health and House Civil Justice Committees. Terry lives in Murfreesboro and represents House District 48, which is the eastern half of Rutherford County. He can be reached by email at: Rep.Bryan.Terry@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-2180.

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