Philadelphia

Flyers Mascot Gritty's Top-10 Moments From 2018

It has been just three months and a week since Gritty, those googly eyes and that unkempt beard stormed into our lives.

Remember when just about everyone was wondering: Who is this terrifying muppet?

Silly us.

Slowly but surely, the orange fella captured the hearts of Philadelphia with his moxie and rambunctiousness, a don't-care-what-you-think-of-me attitude truly representative of the city's spirit.

The Flyers' mascot had a captivating 2018 and did so in fewer than 100 days.

Before we look forward to (and brace for) what Gritty has in store during 2019 (a scary but fun thought), let's look back at his top-10 moments from 2018.

10. Showing his grit

Gritty is always up on his skates when he takes the ice.

Like any player, the skating developed with time and didn't come without speed bumps.

But now, he's fearless.

From laying people out as Gritty Claus to clotheslining sumo wrestlers and keeping the kids hydrated, he's done it all.

9. 'Zamboni dust!'

Seeing snow for the first time is always a spectacle.

During a mid-November snowfall, Gritty couldn't get enough of it as he took a break from work to play in the "Zamboni dust."

Who knows how the Flyers got him to come back inside.

8. Halloween scare

Gritty fever was in full force when Halloween rolled around.

It even freaked out the poor guy for a brief moment.

But everyone embraced the grittiness on Halloween, even this adorable baby.

7. Gritty … from half court!

From the ice to the hardwood.

No big deal, Gritty just sinking half-court shots at college basketball games.

This is what the mascot does and you could tell by the look of his celebration.

Gritty seems like a stretch four.

6. Well, that's something …

"I'll do a Gritty tattoo?"

"What?"

"No, seriously."

That's probably the conversation had between people and tattoo artists as they sit down to discuss the decision of fresh ink.

More and more Gritty tattoos have begun to surface - he's had that type of impact.

Not to mention his own beer and all sorts of other products.

5. He came in like a wrecking ball

If Gritty didn't have the Delaware Valley won over yet, he accomplished it when he came floating down from the rafters to Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" before the Flyers' home opener.

Of course, he did.

4. Celebrity status

You knew Gritty was a star when he started appearing on national shows.

He's been on "Good Morning America," Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Show" and ESPN's "Always Late with Katie Nolan," while being impersonated on Conan O'Brien's "Team Coco" and featured on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

3. A mascot of the people

The people believe in Gritty.

So much that they even voted for him in November. Yes, in Camden County, Gritty received 14 write-in votes, two of which came for county sheriff.

There's no denying that Gritty unifies people.

2. Did we just become best friends?

Sept. 29, 2018 - a monumental date.

The night Gritty met the Phillie Phanatic.

It was a sight to see. 

The Phillies tweeted "#BreakTheInternet" and the Flyers tweeted "name a more iconic duo."

A pretty good summation of a magical evening.

1. Gritty? Gritty!

The No. 1 moment: Gritty's introduction.

No one quite knew what to think Sept. 24 when he rocked the stage at the Please Touch Museum's Hamilton Hall.

Now, he has a top-10 moments from 2018.

What a ride.

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Flyers

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us