RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Nashville Kats' 2026 Arena Crown championship win over Albany provided two big victories for former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher .
Fisher celebrated the 59-53 victory at F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville on Aug. 8 as the Kats' majority owner, while also serving as the league's commissioner and providing a successful template for the rest of the Arena Football One league to follow in that role.
"Everything that took place this year at F&M Bank Arena was just amazing," Fisher said. "Not only with the Kats but for the league. What the Kats did with sold-out crowds, a great fan following and a championship season serves as kind of model for the rest of the league as to what can happen if you do these things."
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Nearly every AF1 owner was at the game as part of the capacity crowd of 4,066 to see the Kats' thrilling win over the reigning champions.
It came down to a fourth down goal-line play with the Kats clinging to a six-point lead. Albany quarterback Sam Castranova attempted a quarterback sneak, which got stuffed by Nashville noseguard Roderick Perry. Castranova then threw the ball into the end zone, but Duane Brown could not catch it.
Nashville Kats coach makes controversial onside kick call
Nashville took the lead on the first play after the one-minute warning when Tyler Kulka tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Malik Honeycut. The extra point was missed.
The Kats then attempted an onside kick, which baffled many fans in the arena along with the television broadcasters. The ball traveled the necessary 10 yards, but Albany recovered at the 10 with 55 seconds left to play.
"I think only seven people in the arena knew what I was doing," Arbet said. "We were up six and had two timeouts. If I go to the long field (by kicking deep), they're going to bleed my timeouts and score because they were having success with the long field at that point in the game. In football, what do you always want? To have the ball last."
Arbet expected Albany to score quickly, leaving him with two timeouts and only needing a field goal to win. Albany's inability to score, however, left the game in the hands of the Kats' defense.
Arbet positioned himself on the goal line to watch the final play, knowing Castranova may try to throw if he was stopped. Arbet contends even if the pass to Perry in the end zone had been completed, it would not have counted because Castranova crossed the line of scrimmage before stepping back and throwing it.
Pat McAfee mentioned Kats' Arena Crown win on ESPN
ESPN's Pat McAfee replayed the TV/radio call by Chase McCabe on the final play on his show on Aug. 10.
"Do you believe in miracles?" McAfee said. "Yes! I mean you put (Jim) Nantz on the call baby; you put (Al) Michaels on the call. What a phenomenal job there by the home commentary squad of the Nashville Kats, who take home the title."
The way the game played out drew national attention, which pleased Fisher, who watched from his owner's box along with managing partner and co-owner, pro wrestling legend Jeff Jarrett .
Jarrett staged a fight with an Albany fan on the field between the third and fourth quarters. Jarrett's final blow sent the fan over the wall in the back of the end zone.
"That got a few views," Fisher said. "It got some people out there retweeting; a lot of hits, a lot of views. A lot of good, positive things came from social media through that and, of course, by how the game ended."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Jeff Fisher said Nashville Kats won more than the Arena Crown in 2026
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