Oh, Gritty. It feels like yesterday and yet forever since you first crawled out of the basement of our collective unconscious and into the Philadelphia Flyers arena.
Gritty’s accomplished a bit more than the average one-year-old: he marched in a Pride Parade, became the icon for the anti-fascism movement, and tied up a Penguins fan with an electrical cord. Oh, the memories…
Let’s take a look back at Gritty’s first year of ‘life’ and see how he’s celebrating his special day.
First of all, we have a bone to pick with the Flyers. (Well. A new one, anyway. Just because Gritty’s the Flyers’ doesn’t mean we have to like the Flyers.) No one should have to decorate for their own birthday party–and especially not their first! It’s no wonder he decided to take a bat to both the pinata and a table.
At least the Flyers wished him a happy birthday and got social media to signal boost it.
🎂 Retweets = Birthday wishes. 🎂 pic.twitter.com/b0NqqFyYPm
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 24, 2019
The night before his birthday, Gritty shared information about where you can mail birthday gifts. And–while all of these are pretty common sense–he took the precaution of listing the things he already has and does NOT need any more of: rope, air pods, hermit crab, antique typewriter, mild claustrophobia, and dress crocs.
Then, Gritty set about the quintessentially Philadelphian day.
Today is my birthday.
Today I become one with my city.
Today I walk amongst the Gritizens.
Today I walk through Philadelphia, river to river, and summit Dr. Balboa’s steps.
For you, but really for me.
HBD 2 ME pic.twitter.com/3krIlQQFGE— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) September 24, 2019
While on his walk, Gritty gave himself the present of, um. Someone else’s baby.
He decided to run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art like he was Rocky.
it is @grittynhl's birthday.
(🎥 @nbcsphilly) pic.twitter.com/weVBRSkax8
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 24, 2019
Here’s a montage of some of the highlights of his first year: taking his horse down the “Old Town Road,” winning our hearts, awards, and hermit crabs, and fighting with mites on ice. So pure.
One year ago today…@GrittyNHL was born. pic.twitter.com/Mwm26US54t
— E:60 (@E60) September 24, 2019
ESPN took a look at how Gritty the manifestation of the dregs of our dreams became Gritty the internet megastar.
It your birthday, Gritty. Party like it your birthday.
It me. #Gritty pic.twitter.com/HfTMVtEAFy
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) September 24, 2018
Headline image: @NHLFlyers
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