Nashville has a new hero in The Catfish Guy

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (WDEF) – Nashville’s newest hero wasn’t wearing skates last night.

Jacob Waddell is just a fan of the Nashville Predators.

But he kept a long-standing Predator tradition alive by throwing a dead catfish on the ice during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

The tradition of flinging the fish onto the ice seems to have started in the 2003 playoffs.

Pittsburg police were not amused.

They escorted him out of the building, then charged him with disorderly conduct, disrupting a meeting, and… most amazingly.. “possessing instruments of a crime.”

The brazen act has gotten a completely different response back in his hometown.

My hero… https://t.co/2sW9P7mrOg

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) May 30, 2017

We've seen a lot of "instruments of crime" over the years. Can't honestly say we've seen a case with one of these. ‍♂️ #StandWithUs pic.twitter.com/tVoZAZpHdh

— TBI (@TBInvestigation) May 30, 2017

I have asked the #MetroCouncil office to draft a resolution requesting a pardon for @JacobDeveral. #StandWithUs #CatfishOutOfWater #GoPreds

— Freddie O'Connell (@freddieoconnell) May 30, 2017

SOOOO sorry #CatfishGuy didn't have his "Concealed Catfish Permit" on him! Geesh!!! #FREECatfishGuy #CatchAndRelease #StandWithUs pic.twitter.com/mdkuD2hvhx

— Preds Maverick (@PredsMaverick) May 30, 2017

But how did Jacob Waddell sneak a catfish into the arena, anyway?

He told the Midday 180 radio show in Nashville today.

Jake Waddell aka The Catfish Guy is in @Midday180 show. We are in the studio with him. @WSMV pic.twitter.com/87Gv6Qyn7K

— Edward Burch (@EdwardBurch) May 30, 2017

Waddell says he bought the fish, ran over it with his pickup to flatten it, rolled Old Spice over it to hide the smell, strapped it to his crotch with tape, and put on an extra large Predators jersey… no problem.

The #CatfishGuy didn’t seem repentant on Twitter today.

@PredsMaverick Charge they may, charge they might, that Catfish still hit the ice last night!!!! Go Preds!!!

— Jake Deveral Waddell (@JacobDeveral) May 30, 2017