Launched in September 2018 as the first official mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers, Gritty has time and time again been recognized as a cultural phenomenon. Initial reactions were extremely divisive, with a Change.org petition calling for Gritty’s removal getting over 2,000 signatures. However, in recent years, Gritty has become an icon within the cultural and political spheres, almost becoming synonymous with Philadelphia culture.
Gritty was originally mocked for the fact that his behavior was unlike any other mascot that people had seen before – such as when he punched a child during a game (he was later cleared of the allegations). Despite his weirdness, Gritty quickly became beloved for the way that he leaned into the chaos and embraced his quirkiness. Gritty began to shine on the internet, where he used his Twitter account to playfully mock rival teams and repost memes.
Gritty politically debuted in October 2018, just a few short weeks after his initial debut with the Flyers. Gritty’s likeness was used on posters and signs at an anti-Trump rally that coincided with former President Trump’s visit to Philadelphia. Signs around the city bore Gritty’s photo along the words, “Gritty say ‘GTFO Of Philly’.” Gritty has since become a left-leaning political icon, with his photo being used in political memes and in other anti-Trump protests across the United States.
Leaning into his political icon status, Gritty was used in campaigns urging Pennsylvanians to register to vote for the 2022 midterm election. Gritty and the Philly Phanatic were also photographed on National Voter Registration Day in 2022 filling out their own voter registration forms.
Gritty has also become an icon for the LGBTQIA+ community and has been present at Philadelphia’s annual Pride Parade through Center City in years past, along with advocating for the gay community on social media. In fact, Gritty has become so ingrained in queer culture that he was even made over by the cast of Netflix’s “Queer Eye” in an advertisement for the show’s fifth season, which took place in and around Philadelphia.
In pop culture, Gritty has almost become synonymous with Philadelphia. He is even included in the 2021 “Saturday Night Live” skit “Murder Durdur” which pokes fun at HBO’s “Mare of Easttown.” Gritty is featured in the skit, and in one scene a noise in the woods is thought to be the murderer, but in reality, it’s just Gritty. Other Gritty appearances include the Philadelphia-set sitcoms “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Abbott Elementary.”
Despite debuting over five years ago, Gritty’s relevance has not diminished over time. With hundreds of attendees at Gritty’s recent appearance at the university’s Fred Rust Ice Arena, Gritty has proven time and time again that he is an icon and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.