Burnie, the beloved mascot of the Miami Heat, suffered two punches from Conor McGregor during a promotional announcement at Game 4 on Friday that led to a trip to the emergency room. While the incident looked serious, Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra assures fans and the team that Burnie is okay and will be present for a potential Game 6.
The incident occurred during Denver’s 108-95 victory when the Heat revealed their partnership with McGregor and his pain relief spray called TIDL Sport. As part of the presentation, Burnie wore giant boxing gloves, a typical stunt involving a mascot that was meant to be played out in a good-natured manner. Instead, McGregor punched the mascot with two left-hand punches, the first hitting Burnie on the side of the head and the second after the mascot fell to the court.
The incident caused a stir among fans, some of whom booed McGregor, who was sitting courtside for the game. Burnie was rushed to the hospital but was discharged after receiving pain medication. The person inside the mascot costume has been kept anonymous. The incident has brought up some questions about player protection and the line between good-natured promotions and promoting violence.
However, Spoelstra assures fans and players that Burnie is tough and the “Miami Heat toughness” shown throughout the incident should not be underestimated. Spoelstra also joked that Burnie should have been allowed to take the first punch, revealing a light-hearted attitude towards the matter.
While the incident certainly sparked conversation, it seems Burnie will be alright and the Heat team is focusing on the task at hand, which is working towards a potential Game 6. The incident has also brought more attention to McGregor’s pain relief spray, TIDL Sport, which the Heat are partnering with, opening up new opportunities for the fighter in the sports industry.
Credit: usatoday.com
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