Predators Head Coach Helped Vanderbilt Students in Goalpost Parade

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While the entire college football world watched as Vanderbilt University’s goalposts were marched through Nashville to the Cumberland River, there was a little help from Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette. After the Vanderbilt Commodore stunned Alabama in one of the biggest upsets in college football, students stormed the field and tore down the field goal posts.
Fans across the internet watched as the students paraded the posts through Nashville, down famed Broadway, and eventually ended up in the Cumberland River. It wasn’t just students, however, as Brunette found himself involved in the fun.
"I actually touched it," Brunette said. "It was coming right down Broadway, just outside the Apple store."
The Predators had just finished their final home preseason game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Much of the team was still in the area as the goalposts made their way through town.
Vanderbilt fans have the goal post making its way through broadway street in Nashville Tennessee right now. A sight to see! #Vandy pic.twitter.com/P8qHrIbxIW
— Dylan (@Dylanwx03) October 6, 2024
Brunette stated that he helped the students keep the posts moving in their journey.
"The kids dropped it on to a car, so I kind of helped them lift it up," Brunette said. "So that was pretty cool, I at least got a little piece of it."
The shocking win was Vanderbilt’s first win over Alabama since 1984 and the first win over a No. 1 ranked school in the program’s history.
The goalposts didn’t stand a chance when Vanderbilt students rushed the field and the police escort down Broadway took over social media for a few hours. The students walked the posts nearly three miles from FirstBank Stadium to Cumberland River. Accompanied by a police escort, the trek took a little over an hour as hundreds of students, and an NHL coach, helped with an iconic celebration.

Nick Horwat is a contributor with Breakaway On SI. He was previously a credentialed reporter for The Hockey News covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A Pittsburgh native, Nick graduated from Point Park University and started reporting on news and sports with KDKA Radio and 93.7 The Fan. After hosting a Penguins talk radio show in college, he morphed the show into a podcast. The Tip of the Ice-Burgh Podcast has been a leading Penguins podcast since 2019. Follow him on Twitter @NickHorwat41.