Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers
According to the Flyers website, the team underwent an extensive process to develop Gritty, enlisting the help of Dave Raymond during the 2017-18 regular season. The process included evaluating over 100 different designs.
BY
Copy Desk Chief
On Monday, the Philadelphia Flyers unveiled the team’s new mascot, a bodacious orange beast who goes by the name of Gritty.
With googly eyes, a toothless grin and a beard that could give Brent Burns a run for his money, Gritty has the potential to haunt the dreams of children for ages — or not.
It me. #Gritty pic.twitter.com/HfTMVtEAFy
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) September 24, 2018
Gritty is fun and exactly what Flyers fans need to lift their spirits after a disappointing first-round playoff exit in April.
During Monday’s Flyers game, Gritty wiped out on the ice spectacularly, leading to the moment being recorded for all time in the form of slow-mo gifs and screenshots posted on Twitter.
ICE IS SLIPPERY, GRITTY pic.twitter.com/9R6GJHbHMP
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 25, 2018
The round, orange behemoth slipped while on the ice without skates and did his best imitation of a turtle on its back. Several staff members looked on in worry at the sight of Philadelphia’s newest friend, laying on his back on the ice, t-shirt gun still in hand. Falling couldn’t wipe out Gritty’s enthusiasm for Flyers fans.
Which one are you? I'm the one with their hands on their head. pic.twitter.com/7I0BMBQgXW
— Brian Coulter (@PhilaBCoulter) September 24, 2018
Gritty continued to be a source of amusement for fans watching the game, as he shot one of the Flyers’ staff members in the back with a t-shirt gun during his on-ice debut. (Keep your eye on the guy in grey).
Gritty just shot a dude in the back pic.twitter.com/A1KdXdobpe
— Amanda Hugnkiss 💖 (@orangeandsass) September 24, 2018
Gritty is bold, beautiful and body-positive. The New Jersey Devil, with his six-pack, is a reminder of body standards that most people struggle to reach. But Gritty, with his pear-shaped figure and unconventional looks, sends the message to hockey fans that there’s no one shape for a fan to be or look to have. Fans come in all shapes and sizes.
And despite any blowback Gritty has received, he remains confident and proud of himself.
On Tuesday morning, after being verified on Twitter, Gritty wrote a love letter to Philadelphia that was cross-posted on Instagram and Twitter, telling the city “I am here for you.”
And besides, who couldn’t love a mascot that signs off for the night with a recreation of the most iconic Kim Kardashian photo of all time?
Goodnight, internet. pic.twitter.com/gx2Pbxfcds
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) September 25, 2018
Gritty may not seem like the mascot any of us wanted, but he is the mascot we need.
And I, for one, welcome Gritty to the NHL and am excited for his future.