Halftime performer Red Panda hospitalized after WNBA unicycle accident
July 2 (UPI) -- Iconic sports halftime entertainer Red Panda tumbled off her 7-foot unicycle and crashed to the court, ending her performance during an Indiana Fever-Minnesota Lynx game and resulting in a hospital visit.
Acrobat Rong Niu, popularly known as Red Panda, fell seconds after stepping onto the apparatus during the Commissioner's Cup title game Tuesday at Target Center in Minneapolis.
She steadied herself on a ladder before peddling toward half court. She waved her arms toward the crowd, smiled and lost her balance before falling forward and landing hard on the court.
Red Panda was helped off the court before being helped out of the arena on a wheelchair. She clutched her left wrist and her back after the fall. Neither the WNBA nor the Lynx provided medical updates on Red Panda.
An arena employee told The Athletic that she left in an ambulance, while a source told ESPN that she was taken to a hospital for observation.
Red Panda, who is in her mid-50s, has appeared at NBA and WNBA halftime shows since 1993. She previously broke her arm in 2015 during practice and was sidelined for 10 months.
Fever star Caitlin Clark, who did not play because of her lingering groin injury, mentioned Red Panda during postgame celebrations after the 74-59 triumph.
"Red Panda, if you're watching, we love you," Clark said on Instagram live.
The veteran halftime performer, who appeared on America's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent, where she made the semifinals, previously broke her arm from a different fall.
In 2018, her 7-foot unicycle -- worth $25,000 -- was stolen at the San Francisco International Airport. It was later replaced by the NBA's Golden State Warriors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
32 minutes ago
- Newsweek
'Sweetest' Foster Kitten Loses Bonded Sibling, Tears at What Happens Next
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A grieving kitten named Teddy has captured the hearts of viewers online after the loss of his bonded sibling, Simone, led to him forming a new and unexpected friendship. The Oregon-based pair that have since been adopted together were captured in a now-viral Instagram video, shared by their owner Carlie (@ The short clip had been viewed more than 129,000 times at the time of writing. Instagram users were able to see footage of Teddy sitting alone, visibly subdued, following his bonded sibling Simone's death. "After heartbreak came an unexpected Simone passed, Teddy seemed a little blue," Carlie said. The quiet scene of Teddy's solitary grief soon gave way to the arrival of another, slightly older kitten, named Rambo. Following Simone's death, Carlie had reached out to an animal rescue shelter in Portland, Oregon, in hopes of finding another solo kitten who also needed a companion. "At first, Teddy was unsure, but they soon became fast was a couple weeks older but so patient and gentle with baby Teddy, they were inseparable and were eventually adopted together," she said, adding in the caption: "A happy ending for two of the sweetest fosters we've ever had." From left: Newly-adopted kittens Teddy and Rambo snuggle up together on a couch; and Teddy sitting on his owner's lap. From left: Newly-adopted kittens Teddy and Rambo snuggle up together on a couch; and Teddy sitting on his owner's lap. @ After a shaky first meeting, tender footage showed the two kittens playing and snuggling together comfortably. Teddy's growth from grief to happiness was on full display, and his eagerness to initiate play with his new sibling. In one particularly affectionate moment, Teddy is seen gently licking Rambo's ears. "That brought tears to my eyes," one viewer said, while another added: "That's so adorable." "Thank you for helping," a third viewer shared. "So sweet," another said. "I just love this," another added. "This is just brilliant," another viewer commented. "Beautiful babies so happy for them." "Oh so pleased he has a new forever friend," another said. "…And they lived happily ever after," another viewer concluded. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
32 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Tears at How Cat With Two Legs Proves Sceptics Wrong: 'Better Without Them'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A fearless two-legged cat is capturing hearts across the internet after a video showcasing his impressive jumping skills went viral on Instagram. Shared by his owner, who goes by @ the clip has racked up over 1.6 million likes and countless comments cheering on Rocket, the determined feline. "I tell them 'I have a cat that only has two legs'. 'oh so he need wheels?', Holy fluffin airball," the video begins, with text overlaying a shot of Rocket launching himself from a shelf and landing gracefully on his front paws. The video then transitions into a montage of Rocket jumping from various surfaces—bookshelves, counters, and more—demonstrating incredible strength and coordination. It finishes with a clip from his kitten days, where he clings to a chair and drags himself around it, paired with the caption: "He never needed wheels." "Holy fluffin airball - no he needs no wheels. Rocket can do it better without them," the owner added in the caption. While the video doesn't go into Rocket's medical history or explain why he only has two front legs, two-legged cats can thrive with the right care and support. In some cases, cats are born with congenital conditions such as Swimmer Syndrome, which affects limb development. Other times, amputation is required due to injury or illness. Regardless of the cause, many cats adapt remarkably well. According to Forest Vets, amputee cats can lead full and happy lives once they adjust to their new way of moving. Cats have a strong instinct to adapt to their physical limitations and often show great resilience. With some modifications to their environment—such as ramps or soft landings—they continue to climb, play, and explore. The Cats Protection charity also emphasizes that disabled cats still enjoy toys, affection, and exploration just like any other cat. Owners are encouraged to provide enrichment and monitor their feline friend's comfort, but there's no need to feel sorry—many disabled cats don't know they're "different" at all. A stock image showing a cat leaping. A stock image showing a cat leaping. Anmfoto/iStock / Getty Images Plus Instagram users were quick to show their admiration for Rocket. "Have you told HIM he only has two legs??" asked Rayne. "Disability? Yeah, I got dis ability to go wherever tf I want," quipped another user. "Give him a little kiss on his forehead and tell him 'a random stranger on the internet is so proud of you and sent u a lot of love'," shared another impressed cat lover. "Bro's an amazing calisthenics athlete," added another user. "That core! That upper body strength! He is fitness goals," said another viewer. "I love this about animals. They're not sad about this kind of thing. They live, learn, and adapt," said another viewer. Newsweek reached out to @ for comment via Instagram. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
UPI
39 minutes ago
- UPI
BBC apologizes for Bob Vylan set, will change live-stream protocols
Bobby Vylan of Bob Vylan performs on the West Holts Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in Glastonbury on Saturday. The BBC is changing its live-stream protocols in response to the duo's "offensive" comments on stage. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo July 3 (UPI) -- The BBC has apologized for airing Bob Vylan's "offensive" Glastonbury Music Festival set over the weekend and is changing its live-stream protocols in response. Bob Vylan, a British alternative rap duo made up of Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan, chanted "Death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, and "Free, free Palestine" on stage Saturday. The performance was live-streamed on BBC, which apologized and called the duo's comments "deeply offensive" and "anti-Semitic" in a statement Monday. In a new statement Thursday, the BBC said Bob Vylan had been "deemed high risk following a risk assessment process applied to all acts appearing at Glastonbury," but said it felt that risk could be mitigated via "language or content warnings -- without the need for delay." Going forward, the BBC said it will no longer live-stream performances that are dubbed "high risk," and that support personnel will be deployed to big music festivals "to improve compliance processes." BBC Chair Samir Shah added that "the Executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible the failings in this incident." The U.S. State Department has since revoked visas for the members of Bob Vylan. "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people," the duo said Sunday on Instagram. "We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use unnecessary lethal force against innocent civilians waiting for aid."
