Florida Panthers Fan and His Weird, Lucky Chicken Tender Go Viral

A chicken tender–wielding Florida man is going viral — and for once, it's not because he robbed a Publix on an alligator (although, let's be honest, that wouldn't be shocking).

Meet "Chicken Tendy Man," a Florida Panthers superfan whose outlandish Stanley Cup Finals superstition is taking TikTok by storm. At every game, he carefully selects the biggest chicken tender from the box, holds it high in the air for the entirety of the game, and gives it a gentle but intentional squeeze throughout the game as he cheers on the "Gatos." According to him and his wife, that's when the Panthers' momentum kicks in, and so far they've won almost every game he's tendied-up.

@eventfulalexis We listen and we don’t judge… Superstitions are in full effect — my husband’s holding a blessed chicken tender like it’s the Stanley Cup. Whatever it takes for the W! 😂 What are your gameday rituals? #floridapanthers #timetohunt #stanleycup #stanleycupplayoffs #nhlplayoffs #gocatsgo #playoffhockey #panthersterritory #nhlfans #hockeytiktoks #hockeyhumor #sportshumor #gamedayrituals #sportssuperstitions #hockeyvibes #hockeylife #panthersnation #fantraditions #luckycharms #hockeycontent #hockeycontentcreator #nhlhockey #fyp ♬ Free Bird - MOONLGHT

His wife, TikToker @eventfulalexis, has lovingly documented the hilarious yet bizarre tradition. In a now-viral TikTok with nearly 50,000 views, she chimes in on a trend asking fans to share their weirdest game-day rituals: "Tell me your wildest gameday superstitions...I'll go first: my husband orders chicken tenders, holds the biggest one all game because we believe it's blessed and gives our goaltender good luck." Some call it ridiculous. Panthers fans call it destiny.

The video went so viral over the weekend that on Tuesday, June 10, the National Hockey League itself posted a collaboration video on Instagram with the Panthers sharing a hilarious montage of "Chicken Tendy Man" videos. The caption goes, "Chicken tendies for the win. This Florida Panthers fan orders chicken tenders at the start of a game and holds the biggest one to give the goaltender good luck."

The chicken tender tradition is actually a play on words for "goaltender," which is why he and his wife proudly proclaim, "chicken tendies for tendies," and "tendy for tendy!"

I mean, we get it. But are these tendies in question even good?

So How Good Is This Chicken Tender, Anyway?

Huey Magoo's, the Panthers' official chicken tender partner, may be the secret sauce to fuel these winning power plays (or perhaps just fan passion).

During the 2023-2024 hockey season, the brand became the "Official Chicken Tenders of the Florida Panthers" with its fully branded concession area inside of Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. Ever since, the popular, fast-casual chicken tenders spot has served its award-winning tenders inside the arena during the hockey season and at special events.

@eventfulalexis For Bob. For the boys. For the W. 🍗🐀 #FloridaPanthers #TimeToHunt #StanleyCupFinals #StanleyCupPlayoffs #NHLPlayoffs #GoCatsGo #HockeyToK#HockeyTiktoks #NHLFanLife #HockeyContent #HockeyLife #HockeyVibes #GameDayRituals #HockeyTraditions #FYP #ForYouPage #Trending #Viral #TikTokSports #SportsTok #StanleyCup #nhl #playoffhockey #panthersterritory #nhlfans #HockeyTiktoks #hockeyhumor #sportshumor#sportssuperstitions #HockeyLife #HockeyContent #hockeycontentcreator @the_tendy_man ♬ Only Time - Enya

Is This a New Tradition Ahead of the June 12 Game?

If you spot a trucker‑hat‑wearing fan in Sunrise, clutching a box of tenders between Stanley Cup breaths, congrats, you're witnessing a new fandom ritual. Because in Florida, we take our tendies as seriously as our Gatos.

In conclusion, if you want the Florida Panthers to win Thursday night's game during the Stanley Cup Finals, skip the popcorn. Go all in on chicken tenders. Be like "Chicken Tendy Man."