Sports
Post-Election Gritty Memes Have Foreigners Scratching Their Heads
Beloved Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty is no stranger to being "memed," but in the post-election world his reach has transcended the U.S.
PHILADELPHIA — It's not just Philadelphia that has been in the international spotlight in the days following the presidential election. Its beloved mascot, Gritty, has been, too.
Following President Donald Trump's projected defeat by Joe Biden and a heavy focus on Philadelphia's vote tally, Gritty's online presence via memes has transcended the United States and left foreigners asking: who exactly is this Gritty character?
French publication Le Monde back in December 2018 published a sort of profile on Gritty after he was embraced by President Donald Trump's detractors, antifascists, socialists, and others left of center.
Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That piece has recirculated online as numerous Gritty memes spread across social media upon Biden's victory Saturday and a Le Monde reader asked the publication "C'est quoi Gritty?" or "who is Gritty?"
French media having to explain to readers who @GrittyNHL is as part of their election coverage wasn’t on my 2020 bingo card, but it’s definitely my fave moment of the cycle so far. pic.twitter.com/d8Pz0H8d9R
— Chris Sgro (@cristoferosgro) November 7, 2020
Other foreigners were wondering who the rowdy, orange beast is.
Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Can anyone explain to this confused Italian living in the US what is up with Philadelphia and Gritty?? Is he their daimon?
— Muβandra (@ammit_) November 6, 2020
A fair question when your social media feed is full of images such as these:
The path to victory began when Gritty was born on September 24, 2018 pic.twitter.com/eyXCAtYh0o
— Scott Lemieux (@LemieuxLGM) November 7, 2020
Our Lord & Savior, Gritty pic.twitter.com/UUktTbHAwn
— Beth DeBold (@eliza_audacis) November 8, 2020
Gritty, y’all. pic.twitter.com/T7UUqQUGmZ
— Airea D. Matthews (@aireadee) November 6, 2020
And in the end, it was Gritty who decided the President of the United States of America pic.twitter.com/lrcHZet49L
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) November 7, 2020
Liberté, Egalité, Gritté pic.twitter.com/p1Jnaf54de
— Sov Cit Decider (@alicelfc4) November 6, 2020
still reeling from Sexy Gritty pic.twitter.com/EVK0EH3I9p
— Matt Ufford (@mattufford) November 8, 2020
Please remember that there's an official City of Philadelphia declaration that Gritty is anti-fascist and it's one of the best pieces of writing you'll read (thanks to @HelenGymAtLarge @HelenGymPHL) https://t.co/flRCL6KIXT pic.twitter.com/L6PGezjO8W
— Katherine Locke (@Bibliogato) November 7, 2020
thanks gritty we owe you one pic.twitter.com/5dlV246kXM
— Mike Skeleton (@MtHamiltron) November 7, 2020
Gritty the Grey has become Gritty the Orange pic.twitter.com/nifJWw4Vt7
— Beth DeBold (@eliza_audacis) November 8, 2020
Gritty the Grey has become Gritty the Orange pic.twitter.com/nifJWw4Vt7
— Beth DeBold (@eliza_audacis) November 8, 2020
As for the Italian national living in the United States who asked about Gritty, she embraced the icon and shared a meme herself:
It's been an eventful day and I am not only overjoyed for the election results, but also now far more knowledgeable about the lore of #Gritty. Thank you, people who took time to explain this mythical creature to me! Long may he rage! pic.twitter.com/Uzr1CWhoSy
— Muβandra (@ammit_) November 8, 2020
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
