Ladies and gentlemen, the Philadelphia Flyers have a mascot and its name is "Gritty."
Meet Gritty. pic.twitter.com/JrTT628Vce— Christina Betz (@StinaBetz) September 24, 2018
In a ceremony Monday, the team announced the "newest member" of its team in front of 600 kids at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. By all accounts, the kids absolutely loved Gritty, and remember, they're the target market.
Before you go any farther, this is a great marketing move by the Flyers to foster the future of the fan base. We think that the people tweeting about Gritty for the social karma will be the same people stopping to snap a selfie, or buying a plush doll for their kid.
If you don't like Gritty, it's probably not for you, and that's OK.
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However, since you clicked on this story, you're probably here for the hot takes. Here's what people are saying about the new No. 00.
The evolution of Jakub Voracek 😂 pic.twitter.com/VZO6dKAccg— The Hockey Gods! (@HockeyGods) September 24, 2018
Gritty is the Phanatic's cousin from Delco— Zoo With Roy (@zoowithroy) September 24, 2018
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There's vomit on his sweater already, mascot Gritty— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) September 24, 2018
I'm just gonna say it. I think I love Gritty.— Travis Hughes (@_travishughes) September 24, 2018
Everyone complaining about Gritty being cheesy clearly doesn't get the point of a mascot. They're supposed to be cheesy!! It's for kids!!— Allie (@mustang__sallie) September 24, 2018
pic.twitter.com/D4dZP9A5xf— Marc Farzetta (@MarcFarzetta) September 24, 2018
pic.twitter.com/DDpSkx0mcY— Whimsical Mihmsical (@tmihmbo) September 24, 2018
Can he play goalie?— Justin Grodsky (@jgrodz33) September 24, 2018
This picture is the stuff of nightmares.— Broad Street Bully (@TheBSBPodcast) September 24, 2018
Updated: Gritty took a shot at the Pens on Twitter.
Sleep with one eye open tonight, bird. pic.twitter.com/wLmGBa0Oyh— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) September 24, 2018