ArenaBowl trophy arrives in Billings

After Billings topped the Albany Firebirds 46-41 Friday at the American Dream Entertainment/Retail Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Outlaws’ plans called for the team to be back home in the Magic City to celebrate Saturday.

Billings Outlaws win ArenaBowl as celebrations extend from New Jersey back to Magic City

Well, in a season full of obstacles in the first-year, relaunched Arena Football League, another hurdle occurred on the return home.

The CrowdStrike software security update that went awry worldwide, which caused flights to be canceled and delayed and left travelers stranded, also affected the AFL champion Outlaws (9-1).

A group of five from the Outlaws, three players and two coaches, didn’t arrive back in Billings until 3:30 Tuesday morning, Walker said. That group, which was stranded in Minneapolis for three days and spent the first night at the airport, included Walker.

But the Outlaws had something to keep them company — the bright and shiny ArenaBowl trophy they had won.

“The biggest thing everybody wanted to know about was the trophy I was carrying,” said Walker. “When we flew back to Billings, people were excited the trophy was coming back.”

On Monday, Walker was still traveling with the trophy as he conducted end-of-season business in the Magic City. There were Outlaws supporters who wanted to see the championship hardware and he didn’t want to disappoint.

“I’ve got it (the ArenaBowl trophy) in a seatbelt riding with me getting ready to go to the house,” said Walker.

Walker said some players arrived back in Billings on time and others were initially stranded in New Jersey, but as of Monday for the most part, everybody had made it back to Billings.

“We wish we could have enjoyed it more,” said Walker of the team missing out on celebrating at home with the fans as originally planned.

“We didn’t have an opportunity to just enjoy. It was a combination of the season. We were wanting to get back here with the fans.”

However, Walker said approximately 10 to 15 players and some coaches, including himself, would be at the Red Door on Friday at 7 p.m. to celebrate the championship.

“Everybody can come out and take pictures. This is ‘our town, our team,’” he said, referencing the team’s motto. “I want everybody to come and enjoy this.”

Walker said the championship wouldn’t have been possible without the Outlaws’ faithful, so he is hoping to have a good showing at the Red Door.

“They (the fans) are part of the championship, too,” he said. “‘Our town, our team. Our team, our town’. We would like to thank the fans for everything this year. The community and players did it as a team. The 406 is ArenaBowl champions.”

Overcoming the global technology issue was just another step in the Outlaws’ season.

There was even a rumor the week of the game that the ArenaBowl might not even be played.

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Throughout that the Outlaws focused on their week-to-week goal of “going 1-0” and winning their contest as “each week was a new season for us.”

Walker said all season long, including the long trip home, the Outlaws players blocked out the outside noise and focused on the task at hand. For that, he was extremely proud.