“Hope this scares benson boone” — Netizens react to Robert Anthony Cruz’s failed backflip on CNN as Savannah Bananas star addresses viral faceplant

Robert Anthony Cruz, from the exhibition baseball team Savannah Bananas, attempted a backflip on CNN News Central on July 24. However, it was unsuccessful, and Cruz landed on a faceplant. As the news anchors were shocked at the mishap, one of them said:

“That what you just saw there is a brand new twist on America’s favorite pastime.”

Social media users appeared to be taken aback by the stunt. One X user mentioned Benson Boone, who is also known for doing backflips during his performances. They wrote:

“I hope this scares benson boone.”

Netizens wished for Robert Anthony Cruz’s well-being, while others commented that the stunt was still successful.

“Technically they did accomplish a backflip,” a social media user commented.

“Gotta be the most embarrassing moment of his life,” a netizen reacted.

“Wow. Hope he is good,” an internet user wrote.

Many X users were supportive of Robert Anthony Cruz’s efforts, while others joked about the situation.

“When you try to impress the camera and gravity says nope,” one X user quipped.

“He failed. It's a little funny, but it's not a shame,” a platform user opined.

“It’s not easy to face that kind of pain, to make it right give him a chance to redo it if he can if not, it’ll be okay brother. May you be blessed anyway. It’s so easy to laugh at another’s pain or mistake,” another netizen commented.

“at least he was able to talk, would have been embarrassing if he started slurring looking all goofy n sh*t,” a social media user noted.

What did Robert Anthony Cruz say after the backflip?

Following the incident, Robert Anthony Cruz himself shared the clip on his Instagram, mentioning that he found it funny as well. He wrote that he was fine after the stunt and also joked about it. Cruz wrote:

“The sound makes it 10x funnier. Yes, you have my permission to laugh. Yes, I’m all good. Some stitches, slightly damaged pride, and some unparalleled dad lore.”

He also shared a self-recorded video on his Instagram story, saying that his viewers had permission to laugh. Cruz confessed that even he couldn’t stop himself from laughing every time he watched the video. However, as seen in the video, he hurt his lower lip. He then said he had to stop the video to get some rest.

Robert Anthony Cruz explained in another Instagram video that he always did flips, even while catching a ball. A few months earlier, he had even caught a football on live TV while doing a backflip at ESPN headquarters. He said he had done this stunt before and so was sure of being successful this time as well.

He said that when doing a flip, one usually looks for the ground while spinning, but this time, he saw a bright light in his face, and the floor was light-colored, which made him lose track of where he was in the air. Robert Anthony Cruz ended up not rotating enough, his feet slipped, and he fell.

He was confused after the fall and later needed several stitches on his lip and chin.

Also read: Why is Joe Buck on GMA? What we know amid George Stephanopoulos’s absence from the show

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