Heat Embrace Panthers’ Rally Rats as Luck Spills Into Kaseya Center originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Miami Heat joined in the fun surrounding the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup run, nodding to the team’s now-famous good luck charm, the rally rat. A short video posted on Tuesday showed toy rats lined up on a railing at Kaseya Center, facing the Miami skyline.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler.© Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
The post tagged the Panthers and included a string of rat emojis, a direct reference to the superstition that has followed the Panthers throughout their playoff success. The video was simple, but the message was clear. The Heat are sharing in the local momentum.
The Rally Rat tradition dates back to the Panthers’ 1996 Stanley Cup Final appearance. It made a complete comeback this postseason, becoming part of the team’s identity. Fans have embraced it. So have players. Now, so has the Heat.
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South Florida sports teams have shown increasing support for each other in recent years. Jimmy Butler and other Heat players have attended Panthers games regularly. Panthers players have returned the gesture at Kaseya Center.
It’s not just about symbolism. Both teams have made deep postseason runs over the last two seasons. There’s a growing sense that what’s suitable for one is good for all.
This playful video continues that theme. It gives fans a crossover moment and taps into a shared winning culture. There’s no rivalry here. Just mutual respect and a little superstition.
The toy rats may be small, but the message behind them was big. South Florida teams are supporting one another. And for now, they’re all chasing wins together.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.