Gritty is a beloved Mascot in Philadelphia and throughout the NHL. When Gritty debuted on September 24, 2018, he stormed the world. While the orange furry mascot is so well-loved now, it wasn’t always the case. During the first few months of Gritty, most people didn’t understand what he was and how he was a Flyers mascot. What was Gritty? Why did he seem like a character out of a haunted house more than a hockey mascot?
The Story Of Gritty
This is the story of Gritty; stay with me, as a few details are still unknown. It all began in 2018 when the Wells Fargo Center underwent construction. Sometimes, during construction, you find things you didn’t know existed. As walls were tearing down, a BIG orange creature emerged, and that’s how Gritty came about. I feel slightly upset for Gritty, who lived in his hiding spot and rudely got kicked out. Luckily, Gritty found fame immediately after he escaped from the walls at the Wells Fargo Center. He appeared on talk shows and became an overnight sensation. Just like that, Gritty was a celebrity, but with fame comes hate. The orange creature from the unknown was flooded with hate comments making fun of his appearance. Gritty was unapologetically himself. He didn’t deserve all the negativity; he was still just a baby in this industry. This whirlwind of judgment created enormous grit that made the Flyers mascot tough.
Years later, he is a national treasure in Philadelphia and arguably one of the best things that have happened to the Flyers. Undoubtedly, he is the most known of all the Philadephia mascots, even though the Phillie Phanatic is a close second. Gritty now has merchandise, calendars, and his section at the Wells Fargo Center. He is HIM. How did the mascot who faced so much hate become so well-loved? Oh, do I have the perfect timeline of events for you?
