Gritty Petitioning NHL To Allow Him At Games

PHILADELPHIA — We all love Gritty and his chaotic antics. After more than two years of being one of the nation's most recognizable and beloved mascots, Gritty now needs your help.

The NHL Sunday announced plans for the upcoming season, including safety protocols for teams amid the coronavirus pandemic.

While the NHL has not laid out a blanket ban on fans at games, the Wells Fargo Center here in Philadelphia is not planning to host fans, and likely not even hosting the Flyers rowdy mascot.

So Gritty has launched a Change.org petition urging NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to allow him at games.

"I have made numerous attempts to contact the great Gary Bettman with no avail. I even tried to send a carrier goose," Gritty wrote on the petition. "I understand he is an incredibly busy fella, but I thought our relationship meant more. This is why you shouldn’t work with friends. It is with this public display of desperation that I hope to reach Gar and come to a unified decision regarding my attendance at Flyers games this season."

Gritty claims that games will be lacking "joy," "artistry," and "downright tomfoolery that delicately balances with the on-ice battles and displays of athletic prowess" without his presence.

"I promised the world at the brink of quarantine that I would be the orange light of hope and those plans haven’t changed," Gritty wrote. "As a mascot, I have a duty, a responsibility, and I simply ask that you open your hearts to grant me permission to do what I love for the sport you all love. Let's get weird."

As of 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, the petition has more than 10,220 signatures of its 15,000 signature goal.

The Flyers even chimed in on Twitter:

You can lend your support online here.