For the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, you knew you could count on Gritty for an arrival that rivaled Apollo Creed’s splendiferous entrances.
The big orange hometown boy put on his flashiest duds — a jersey and helmet of LED lights — and zipped down in the dark from the roof of the stadium onto the field.
The helmet was fitted with a camera and the footage is in if you want to know what it is like to be Gritty, if only for a few short moments.
Gritty even had his own Rocky Steps set up in the end zone for his triumphant run and fist pumps while “Gonna Fly Now” boomed through the Linc and the crowd went wild on a wet, 40 degree night.
Gritty’s lit ensemble came from local mascot company Character Translations, who made Gritty.
His drop into the dark night capped a pregame ceremony highlighting the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins before some noted Philadelphia athletes made appearances.
Former Philadelphia Phillies shortstop and former National League MVP Jimmy Rollins, now a special advisor with his old team, received a big round of applause. Center Boban Marjanović and forward Tobias Harris, recently traded to the Philadelphia 76ers made an appearance as did Philadelphia Eagles center and Super Bowl champion Jason Kelce. Flyers great Bobby Clarke was all on hand.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson dropped the ceremonial first puck to round out the pregame festivities, but Gritty wasn’t done.
During a stoppage in play, the Flyers furball went streaking.
Security tracked him down and gave him the boot from the game. He responded on Twitter.
Gritty’s Stadium Series debut may have not lasted as long as the game, but it was a memorable one.
from A Viral Update https://ift.tt/2SVwUGl
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