Picture a Muppet that has aged 70 years.
Now picture that same Muppet living in a dumpster for 50 of those.
What does that get you?
It’s the Philadelphia Flyers’ new mascot, Gritty and he’s wonderful.
Looking like something out of a collaboration between David Cronenberg and Jim Henson, Gritty is already taking to the stands and terrifying children. On purpose.
Mascots are often unintentionally creepy, lying in an uncanny valley between lifelike and cartoonish.
Gritty, however, seems to be intentionally disturbing.
It’s an absolutely genius marketing tactic.
Gritty has seen coverage on nearly every major media outlet in Canada and the United States.
That’s the Flyers’ logo being broadcast to millions of televisions across North America.
Gritty emerged from his secret hideout (HP Lovecraft’s secret laboratory?) to a very critical Philadelphia fan-base, but as soon as he took to the ice, he knew exactly how to tug on their heartstrings.
His first game with the Flyers this season saw him shoot a man in the back with a t-shirt gun.
https://twitter.com/orangeandsass/status/1044372945802588166
He also slipped on the ice in the same game.
Gritty down pic.twitter.com/EP3DaqiwOA
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 25, 2018
Initially met with boos, the fans’ dislike toward the seven-foot-tall tangerine nightmare, has turned to an embittered love, still expressed by a choir of boos.
Philadelphia sports teams have a history with curious mascots.
The Philly Phanatic for the MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies is arguably the most recognizable mascot in North America.
The Phanatic’s whole gimmick is essentially just being mean to spectators.
He will buff the heads of bald fans, spray silly string at broadcasters and shoot hotdogs at people.
Philly fans love it.
And with Gritty up to similar shenanigans, Philadelphia will love him as well.
🎶 Hey now, hey now,
This is what dreams are made of 🎶 pic.twitter.com/4oFxTyzaNF
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) September 30, 2018
