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I follow a lot of political news throughout the day, and Jason and Kylie Kelce are a nice palate cleanser. When I see a Kelce-centric headline, I know I’m usually going to either cheer them on or laugh at something they’ve said. So, what darndest thing has Jason said this time? He has his own personal conspiracy theory that one of the best, most famous sports mascots, the Philadelphia Flyers’ Gritty, was modeled after him. And yes, he is willing to die on that hill.
Jason Kelce wants credit where credit is due. The retired Philadelphia Eagles center is sharing his theory that the famed Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty was actually based on his likeness.
“I will take this to my grave. Gritty was started the year after the [2018 Super Bowl] parade,” Jason, 37, told his younger brother Travis Kelce on the Wednesday, Feb. 26 episode of their New Heights podcast. “That thing looks f—— just like me.”
After Travis tried to change the subject, Jason doubled down, declaring, “Tell me that thing is not my likeness!”
“Shut the f— up,” Travis told his brother, laughing it off.
“Dude, they stole it. Look at those eyebrows,” Jason joked.
But Travis insisted that Gritty “looks nothing like” his big brother.
“You mean to tell me after the parade, the Flyers just so happen to come out with a mascot that looks like that?” Jason questioned.
Travis wasn’t convinced, quipping, “Your eyebrows are aggressive, but they’re not that.”
Jason was firm in his stance, claiming, “They’ll never admit it. This thing, they f—— modeled this thing after me.”
A longtime Flyers fan, Jason has regularly repped the hockey team’s orange jersey and attended games. He also played hockey in his youth ahead of his football career.
Gritty was first introduced as the team’s mascot in 2018, quickly going viral for its wild antics and look. The mascot was introduced after the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl.
Christine Mina, the senior manager of digital media for the Flyers, shared that after the Eagles’ 2018 win and subsequent parade, they realized they were the only Philadelphia team without a mascot.
“We were noticeably absent,” Mina told The Bleacher Report in 2021. “And I think that was sort of the last little push we needed to to get serious about it. So, summer of 2018 was when we really got to work on the concept.”
LMAO at Jason’s proof being in the eyebrows. Personally, I think it’s more of the beard than the eyebrows, haha. I honestly had not seen the facial similarities before he pointed them out, but now I can’t unsee it. It’s a compelling case, that’s all I’m saying. He could have a decent chance in a Gritty look alike contest. Jason should be thanking the Flyers marketing department because he has a built-in, go-to Halloween costume.
Also, I had no idea that Gritty has only been around since 2018. He’s so popular that I just assumed he’s been around for decades. Regardless of whether or not Jason inspired any part of Gritty’s appearance, they really need to give whoever comes up with Gritty’s whole schtick a raise because it is usually really funny (the lemonade stand one absolutely slayed me) or meets the moment. I mean, Gritty is no Dragon McFartFartButtButt, but, really, who is?
Ummm can somebody please explain the “no grapes” joke to me…
The Duck Song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtN1YnoL46Q
It’s a kid’s song but it’s very catchy lol. Think Baby Shark but less annoying.
Ummm use Google. 🙄
I did, and then I googled do ducks like grapes, and I still don’t get it. I must need a superior intellect like yours to understand why this is the gag of the century. 🙄
Gritty came to my sons’ school, along with some former Flyers, some cheerleaders and the MC from the home games. So they got to meet Gritty and also got 2 tickets each to a Flyers game we get to choose from. Philly programs do some awesome stuff for local schools. My youngest is a huge fan of Gritty and the Phanatic and getting to see them at games is an absolute blast.
LOL I can see it.
Like many in the Philly area, I was slightly taken aback when Gritty was introduced, and then quickly grew to love him.
I can see it too! I’m also getting great joy from the concept of “aggressive eyebrows “. Lol
I mean….he very well can be right.
Gritty’s personality matches Jason’s energy as well.