Gritty

Prior to the 2018–19 NHL season, the only two National Hockey League teams without an official mascot were the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.{{cite news |last=Yuhas |first=Alan |date=November 1, 2018 |title=Gritty's First Month: The Heroic Ascendance of a 'Ghastly Empty-Eyed Muppet' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/sports/hockey/gritty-philadelphia-flyers.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-date=November 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102175408/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/sports/hockey/gritty-philadelphia-flyers.html |url-status=live }} The Flyers' first mascot, Slapshot, lasted only for the 1976–77 season.{{cite news |last1=Macy |first1=Evan |title=Man inside Flyers' original mascot, Slapshot, has some advice for Gritty |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/man-inside-flyers-original-mascot-slapshot-has-advice-gritty/ |access-date=February 26, 2021 |work=PhillyVoice |date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162246/https://www.phillyvoice.com/man-inside-flyers-original-mascot-slapshot-has-advice-gritty/ |url-status=live }} In 1995, the Washington Capitals introduced their own Slapshot, named by fifth-grade student Stephanie Williams in a contest.{{cite news |last1=McKee |first1=Sandra |title=Caps beat selves, give Pens win in OT Defensemen put two in own net in 3-2 loss |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-11-18-1995322028-story.html |access-date=February 26, 2021 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 18, 1995 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518040037/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-11-18-1995322028-story.html |url-status=live }}

The impetus behind Gritty's creation started when the Flyers' marketing department attended the mascot events at the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville, Tennessee, and realized that they were missing out on all the marketing and community outreach programs that the league's mascots were generating for their respective teams.{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2018/10/04/gettin-gritty-wit-it-flyers-new-mascot-a-big-hit/38046351/ | title=Gettin' Gritty Wit It: Flyers new mascot a big hit | agency=Associated Press | publisher=USA Today | date=October 4, 2018 | access-date=January 8, 2019 | archive-date=January 9, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109062148/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2018/10/04/gettin-gritty-wit-it-flyers-new-mascot-a-big-hit/38046351/ | url-status=live }} The Flyers then commissioned Brian Allen of Flyland Designs in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to design Gritty in August 2018.{{cite web |last=Muthler |first=Lauren |url=https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/bellefonte/article218932555.html |title=A Bellefonte artist is the man behind the Philadelphia Flyers' 'Gritty' new mascot |work=Centre Daily Times |date=September 24, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151546/https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/bellefonte/article218932555.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Maggie |last=Smolka |url=https://www.wtaj.com/news/local-news/bellefonte-man-helps-create-philadelphia-flyers-new-mascot/ |title=Bellefonte man helps create Philadelphia Flyer's new mascot |publisher=WTAJ |date=September 27, 2018 |access-date=July 21, 2023 }} David Raymond, who portrayed the Phillie Phanatic, consulted on Gritty's creation.{{cite web |date=September 24, 2018 |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/gritty-the-flyers-new-mascot-is-set-up-for-success-according-to-the-phillie-phanatic-anyway-20180924.html|title=Gritty, the Flyers' new mascot, is set up for success. (According to the Phillie Phanatic, anyway.)|first=Bethany|last=Ao|website=inquirer.com|access-date=February 3, 2020|archive-date=February 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203233253/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/gritty-the-flyers-new-mascot-is-set-up-for-success-according-to-the-phillie-phanatic-anyway-20180924.html|url-status=live}}

The Flyers organization wanted Gritty to have a rather intimidating appearance, as "someone you'd high-five but not hug", according to Allen.

File:2019-01-24 Gritty Philadelphia Flyers at All Star Game (cropped).jpeg]]

Gritty was introduced on September 24, 2018, and appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon several days later.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/24794863/nhl-ranking-every-mascot-bailey-gritty-youppi-nordy-victor-e-green-hunter|title=NHL mascot rankings: Gritty's big debut|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 30, 2018|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115638/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/24794863/nhl-ranking-every-mascot-bailey-gritty-youppi-nordy-victor-e-green-hunter|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/look-new-flyers-mascot-gritty-dances-with-jimmy-fallon-gets-punched-by-ricky-gervais/ |first1= Kevin |last1=Skiver |date=Sep 28, 2018 |title=LOOK: New Flyers mascot Gritty dances with Jimmy Fallon, gets punched by Ricky Gervais|work=CBS Sports|access-date=September 30, 2018|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930081507/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/look-new-flyers-mascot-gritty-dances-with-jimmy-fallon-gets-punched-by-ricky-gervais/|url-status=live}} Gritty was active on social media from his debut: his odd appearance and stunts on Twitter, such as seeming to threaten the mascot of the Pittsburgh Penguins and recreating Kim Kardashian's "Break the Internet" photograph, contributed to his rise in infamy. Within days, Gritty's Twitter account had more followers than any other NHL mascot. In his first on-ice appearance, Gritty fell while firing T-shirts into the crowd from a T-shirt cannon. In his second appearance on ice, Gritty body-checked contestants in a goalie race during an intermission and shot a Flyers staff member with a T-shirt cannon.{{cite web | url=https://www.bardown.com/gritty-stormed-the-ice-and-started-bodychecking-flyers-employees-during-in-game-stunt-1.1182175 | publisher=Bar Down Sports | title=Gritty stormed the ice and started bodychecking Flyers employees during in-game stunt | date=September 27, 2018 | access-date=October 11, 2019 | archive-date=October 11, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011205303/https://www.bardown.com/gritty-stormed-the-ice-and-started-bodychecking-flyers-employees-during-in-game-stunt-1.1182175 | url-status=live }}

On October 13, 2019, the first ever "Gritty anti-runners 5K" took place. This 5K race included Gritty's favorite things along the track, including hot dogs, silly string, and a shrine to Claude Giroux.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/gritty-flyers-5k-race-philadelphia-2019-20190829.html|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=August 29, 2019|access-date=January 13, 2020|title=A Gritty-themed 'anti-runners' 5k is happening|archive-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113222927/https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/gritty-flyers-5k-race-philadelphia-2019-20190829.html|url-status=live}}

In November 2019, during a fan meet-and-greet between Gritty and Flyers season ticket holders, a fan reported that the Flyers employee portraying Gritty punched their 13-year-old son in the back. After an internal investigation by the Flyers led to no other witnesses of such abuse, the fan reported the incident to the Philadelphia Police Department, which led its own investigation. On February 3, 2020, the Flyers employee portraying Gritty was officially cleared of any wrongdoing and charges were not filed.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/comcast/flyers-gritty-assault-boy-philadelphia-police-investigation-20200122.html|title=Did Gritty punch a 13-year-old boy in the back? Philadelphia detectives are investigating.|first=Christian|last=Hetrick|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=January 22, 2020 |access-date=January 25, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125165656/https://www.inquirer.com/business/comcast/flyers-gritty-assault-boy-philadelphia-police-investigation-20200122.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/01/22/gritty-flyers-mascot-philadelphia-police-investigating-claim-physically-assaulted-teen-boy-during-photo-shoot/|title=Philadelphia Police Investigating Claim Flyers Mascot Gritty Physically Assaulted Teen Boy During Photo Shoot|date=January 22, 2020|access-date=January 25, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125005055/https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/01/22/gritty-flyers-mascot-philadelphia-police-investigating-claim-physically-assaulted-teen-boy-during-photo-shoot/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2020/1/23/21078804/everyone-is-talking-about-gritty-philadelphia-flyers-mascot-lawsuit|title=Everyone is talking about Gritty|first=Stephanie|last=Driver|date=January 23, 2020|website=Broad Street Hockey|access-date=January 25, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125165706/https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2020/1/23/21078804/everyone-is-talking-about-gritty-philadelphia-flyers-mascot-lawsuit|url-status=live}}

Gritty introduced the Philadelphia Fusion, an Overwatch esports team, during its 2019 and 2020 home-stand matches.{{cite news |last1=Rand |first1=Emily |title=Overwatch: Grit, and Gritty, lead Fusion to 2-0 start |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/26020708/grit-gritty-lead-philadelphia-fusion-2-0-start-overwatch-league-season-2 |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=ESPN |date=February 17, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030511/https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/26020708/grit-gritty-lead-philadelphia-fusion-2-0-start-overwatch-league-season-2 |url-status=live }}{{Cite tweet |user=overwatchleague |number=1228823012176224256 |title=HIs majesty, the fuzzy orange king of Philly, graces us with his presence!}}

In May 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania, Gritty began wearing a face shield.{{Cite tweet |user=GrittyNHL |number=1260371902889164801 |date=May 12, 2020 |title=No one cared who I was until I put on the mask.}} In September, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health released a promotional video featuring Gritty to encourage wearing face masks in public,{{cite web|last=Henninger|first=Danya|date=December 23, 2020|title=Philly health department clears Gritty for Flyers games, NHL relents|url=https://billypenn.com/2020/12/23/gritty-petition-essential-covid-flyers-health-department-philadelphia/|access-date=January 14, 2020|website=Billy Penn|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223135928/https://billypenn.com/2020/12/23/gritty-petition-essential-covid-flyers-health-department-philadelphia/|url-status=live}} and in December the department and the NHL cleared Gritty to resume public appearances at Flyers games.{{Cite news|last=Budryk|first=Zack|date=December 23, 2020|title=NHL, Philadelphia health department clear Flyers mascot Gritty to attend games after petition|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/531481-nhl-philadelphia-health-department-clear-flyers-mascot-gritty-to-attend|access-date=January 14, 2020|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223194229/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/531481-nhl-philadelphia-health-department-clear-flyers-mascot-gritty-to-attend|url-status=live}}

Gritty and Sir Patrick Stewart appeared in the opening skit of a special post-Super-Bowl episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, on February 3, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/02/04/stephen-colbert-gritty-super-bowl/ |title=Gritty Crashed Stephen Colbert’s Super Bowl Party |last=Sasko |first=Claire |date=2019-02-04 |access-date=2025-06-20 }} Gritty appeared in the Family Guy episode: "Cootie & The Blowhard", which aired on November 7, 2021 on Fox.{{cite news|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/listings/20211015fox17/|title=Cootie & The Blowhard|date=November 7, 2021|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=December 19, 2023}} Gritty appeared in ABC's Philadelphia-set sitcom Abbott Elementary in the season two premiere, "Development Day", which premiered on September 21, 2022.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/abbott-elementary-gritty-philadelphia-flyers-mascot-1235379725/|title=Philadelphia Flyers Mascot Gritty on His 'Abbott Elementary' Cameo: 'I'm Not in the Business of Explaining Myself' (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Hailu|first=Selome|date=21 September 2022|work=Variety|access-date=12 October 2022|archive-date=October 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012231455/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/abbott-elementary-gritty-philadelphia-flyers-mascot-1235379725/|url-status=live}} Gritty made a professional wrestling appearance at WWE's Extreme Rules event held on October 8, 2022, getting beaten by The Miz backstage who was looking for Dexter Lumis. Eventually, after Lumis put Miz to sleep, Gritty attacked him and left.{{cite web |last=Mahjouri |first=Shakiel |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2022-wwe-extreme-rules-results-recap-grades-bray-wyatt-returns-ronda-rousey-reclaims-title-in-wild-show/live/ |title=2022 WWE Extreme Rules results, recap, grades: Bray Wyatt returns, Ronda Rousey reclaims title in wild show |work=CBS Sports |date=2022-10-09 |accessdate=2023-01-27 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162246/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2022-wwe-extreme-rules-results-recap-grades-bray-wyatt-returns-ronda-rousey-reclaims-title-in-wild-show/live/ |url-status=live }} Gritty appeared in season sixteen of FX's Philadelphia-set sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in episode five, "Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab". The episode premiered on June 28, 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-gritty-bryan-cranston-aaron-paul/|title=Gritty makes his debut on 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' |last=Hunt|first=Kristin|date=30 June 2023|work=Philly Voice|access-date=6 August 2023}} Gritty appeared in the Albie's Elevator episode: "Big Orange Fuzzy Thing".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgB2dJ4-SnA|title=Albie's Elevator: Big Orange Fuzzy Thing|work=YouTube|date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=January 14, 2024}} Gritty appeared on the Philadelphia-set finale of the thirty-sixth season of the CBS reality competition show The Amazing Race, which aired on May 15, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-amazing-race-season-36-trailer-puerto-vallarta-1235924964/|title='The Amazing Race' Emotional Season 36 Trailer Kicks Things Off in Puerto Vallarta (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=February 28, 2024|website=Variety|access-date=February 28, 2024}}

Observers brought attention to his appearance, which could be construed as frightening,{{Cite news|url=https://6abc.com/sports/meet-gritty-the-flyers-new-team-mascot/4327263/|title=Meet Gritty: The Flyers' new team mascot|date=September 24, 2018|work=6abc Philadelphia|access-date=September 30, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930081522/https://6abc.com/sports/meet-gritty-the-flyers-new-team-mascot/4327263/|url-status=live}} while The Guardian described him as an "acid trip of a mascot."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/sep/27/gritty-flyers-mascot-philadelphia-phanatic|title=Gritty: why the Philadelphia Flyers' new acid trip of a mascot must be stopped|last=Cantor|first=Matthew|date=September 27, 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=February 24, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=February 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223181936/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/sep/27/gritty-flyers-mascot-philadelphia-phanatic|url-status=live}} Response to Gritty's introduction was immediate and sharply mixed, with many fans on social media expressing bewilderment and some fright at his appearance.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/its-gritty-philadelphia-flyers-new-mascot-is-pure-unadulterated-nightmare-fuel/ |title=It's Gritty! Philadelphia Flyers New Mascot is Pure Unadulterated Nightmare Fuel |last=Blackburn |first=Pete |work=CBS Sports |date=September 25, 2018 |access-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011205303/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/its-gritty-philadelphia-flyers-new-mascot-is-pure-unadulterated-nightmare-fuel/ |url-status=live }} Public perception of Gritty became increasingly positive as Gritty's antics, which subverted the cuddly, family-friendly appearance and demeanor of other NHL mascots, gained more attention on social media.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2018/10/gritty_has_been_with_us_for_two_weeks_and_the_worl.html|title=9 Ridiculous Things Gritty, the Flyers' New Insane Mascot, has Already Done|author=Jeremy Schneider|date=11 October 2018 |publisher=nj.com|access-date=October 11, 2019|archive-date=October 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011205306/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2018/10/gritty_has_been_with_us_for_two_weeks_and_the_worl.html|url-status=live}} Gritty was lampooned on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Saturday Night Live.{{cite web |author=Nick Vadala |url=http://www2.philly.com/philly/entertainment/celebrities/brett-kavanugh-gritty-flyers-john-oliver-hbo-20181001.html |title=John Oliver compares Brett Kavanaugh to Flyers mascot Gritty on 'Last Week Tonight' |publisher=.philly.com |date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151641/http://www2.philly.com/philly/entertainment/celebrities/brett-kavanugh-gritty-flyers-john-oliver-hbo-20181001.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=EJ Smith |url=http://www2.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/snl-gritty-saturday-night-live-flyers-mascot-colin-jost-20180930.html |title='Saturday Night Live's' Weekend Update takes its shot at Gritty |publisher=philly.com |date=September 30, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151616/http://www2.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/snl-gritty-saturday-night-live-flyers-mascot-colin-jost-20180930.html |url-status=live }}

Philadelphia residents embraced Gritty shortly after his debut as representing the city's “rough and tumble character”.{{cite web |author=Ellie Silverman |url=http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/retail/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-wharton-marketing-20181013.html |title=What is Gritty? A 'lovable monster,' the orange embodiment of Philly and the Flyers, or a brand marketing breakthrough? |publisher=.philly.com |date=October 13, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151608/http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/retail/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-wharton-marketing-20181013.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Stephen |first1=Bijan |title=Gritty became a leftist meme because Philly loves a righteous hooligan |work=The Verge |date=2018-10-17 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/17/17990016/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-leftists-activism-protest-symbol |language=en |access-date=2020-11-08 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107161509/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/17/17990016/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-leftists-activism-protest-symbol |url-status=live }} The Philadelphia City Council passed a formal resolution in 2018 honoring Gritty, declaring that he honored the city's spirit and passion.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/10/26/660905872/gritty-stuff-of-nightmares-has-been-officially-welcomed-to-philadelphia |title=Gritty, Stuff Of Nightmares, Has Been Officially Welcomed To Philadelphia |publisher=NPR |date=April 18, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028090813/https://www.npr.org/2018/10/26/660905872/gritty-stuff-of-nightmares-has-been-officially-welcomed-to-philadelphia |url-status=live }} Within two months, the mascot amassed almost 200,000 Twitter followers. Gritty was the top league mascot in a 2019 vote of the NHL Players' Association.{{cite web |author=Cale Ahearn |url=https://fox43.com/2019/03/20/gritty-voted-nhls-best-team-mascot/ |title=Gritty voted NHL's Best Team Mascot | WPMT FOX43 |publisher=Fox43.com |date=March 20, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321150023/https://fox43.com/2019/03/20/gritty-voted-nhls-best-team-mascot/ |url-status=live }}

Gritty has been employed as a leftist icon, as activists identified with the mascot's "cheerful, unkempt, maniacal demeanor",{{r|NYT}} and googly-eyed, anarchic mirth. Gritty appeared on a banner at a Philadelphia protest against Donald Trump a week after his debut and was spread through leftist online forums and Internet meme groups,{{r|Verge}} which depicted Gritty with themes of anti-capitalism, socialism, and anti-fascism.{{r|NYT}}{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/flyers/2018/10/03/anti-trump-protesters-signs-flyers-new-mascot-gritty/1516057002/ |title=Anti-Trump protesters feature signs with Flyers' new mascot, Gritty |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=2018-07-25 |accessdate=2023-01-27 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127174819/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/flyers/2018/10/03/anti-trump-protesters-signs-flyers-new-mascot-gritty/1516057002/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-the-left-won-the-war-for-gritty|title=How the Left Won the War for Gritty, the New Mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers|magazine=The New Yorker|first=Ian|last=Crouch|date=October 10, 2018|accessdate=January 27, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127195938/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-the-left-won-the-war-for-gritty|url-status=live}} Philadelphia City Council member Helen Gym described the Trump vs. Gritty phenomenon: "One orange horror has been met with another."{{cite web|last=VanDerWerff|first=Emily|date=2018-12-24|title=Gritty's evolution from googly-eyed hockey mascot to meme to leftist avatar, explained|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/12/24/18145323/gritty-explained-mascot-flyers-meme-leftist|access-date=2020-11-10|website=Vox|language=en|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107015719/https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/12/24/18145323/gritty-explained-mascot-flyers-meme-leftist|url-status=live}} When Philadelphia played an important role in determining the 2020 United States presidential election, social media users depicted Gritty as the city personified, defeating outgoing incumbent Trump, which included appropriating Trump's statement that "Bad things happen in Philadelphia!".{{cite web |last1=VanDerWerff |first1=Emily |title=Gritty memes: Why is the Philadelphia Flyers mascot Donald Trump's enemy? |work=Vox |date=2020-11-06 |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/11/6/21553085/gritty-memes-2020-election-trump-biden |language=en |access-date=2020-11-08 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108032842/https://www.vox.com/2020/11/6/21553085/gritty-memes-2020-election-trump-biden |url-status=live }}{{Cite tweet|number=1324750855309021185|user=JonathanCohn|title=All of the Gritty memes are giving me life. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmJ12x4WoAAI3Oq|author=Jonathan Cohn|date=2020-11-06|access-date=2023-07-15}}{{cite journal | url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21674795221106115?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.28 | doi=10.1177/21674795221106115 | title="A Manifestation of Their City as a God": Gritty Memes, the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, and Online Representations of Home | year=2023 | last1=Harrison | first1=Virginia S. | last2=Boatwright | first2=Brandon | last3=Bober | first3=Joseph | journal=Communication & Sport | volume=11 | issue=2 | pages=356–384 | s2cid=249859238 | access-date=July 9, 2023 | archive-date=July 9, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709002913/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21674795221106115?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.28 | url-status=live | url-access=subscription }}

Philadelphia composer Melissa Dunphy adapted text from Philadelphia City Council member Helen Gym's "A Resolution" for her choral composition "A Gritty Resolution". The piece is a humorous ode to the city's mascot and was commissioned and performed by the Philadelphia a capella group PhilHarmonia in 2024.{{Cite journal |last=Farr |first=Stephanie |date=June 7, 2024 |title=A glorious choral hymn about Gritty premieres this weekend |url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/gritty-resolution-song-philharmonia-20240607.html |journal=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Frank |title=The nitty-Gritty behind the birth of the Flyers' mascot |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=2018-10-19 |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/flyers/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-mascot-phillie-phanatic-hockey-ed-snider-20181019.html |language=en-US |access-date=2020-11-08 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405172322/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/flyers/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-mascot-phillie-phanatic-hockey-ed-snider-20181019.html |url-status=live }}
• {{cite news |last1=Horgan |first1=Colin |date=November 27, 2018 |title=Liberté, Egalité, Gritté: how an NHL mascot became an antifa hero |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/27/gritty-flyers-mascot-antifa-pepe-the-frog |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129052016/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/27/gritty-flyers-mascot-antifa-pepe-the-frog |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |last1=Santus |first1=Rex |title='Keep your Marxist hands off Gritty': WSJ writer fumes over allegations that a furry mascot is antifa |work=Vice |date=2018-10-08 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/keep-your-marxist-hands-off-gritty-wsj-writer-furious-over-allegations-an-nhl-mascot-is-antifa/ |language=en |access-date=2020-11-08 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108173812/https://www.vice.com/en/article/8xjk75/keep-your-marxist-hands-off-gritty-wsj-writer-furious-over-allegations-an-nhl-mascot-is-antifa |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |last1=Silverman |first1=Ellie |title=What is Gritty? A 'lovable monster,' the orange embodiment of Philly and the Flyers, or a brand marketing breakthrough? |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=2018-10-13 |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/retail/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-wharton-marketing-20181013.html |language=en-US |access-date=2020-11-08 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812095712/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/retail/gritty-philadelphia-flyers-wharton-marketing-20181013.html |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |last1=VanDerWerff |first1=Emily |title=Gritty's evolution from googly-eyed hockey mascot to meme to leftist avatar, explained |work=Vox |date=2018-12-24 |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/12/24/18145323/gritty-explained-mascot-flyers-meme-leftist |language=en |access-date=2020-11-08 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107015719/https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/12/24/18145323/gritty-explained-mascot-flyers-meme-leftist |url-status=live }}
• {{cite news|last=Bherer|first=Marc-Olivier|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2018/12/23/gritty-icone-de-l-extreme-gauche-americaine_5401561_3232.html|title=Gritty, icône de l'extrême gauche américaine|newspaper=Le Monde|date=2018-12-23|lang=fr|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109134930/https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2018/12/23/gritty-icone-de-l-extreme-gauche-americaine_5401561_3232.html|url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

{{Wikiquote}}

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Category:Fictional monsters

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Category:Anti-fascism in the United States