Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
A composite image showing Nicole Kidman and Gritty as part of an article on the latter parodying the former's AMC ad.

NHL Mascot Gritty Goes Full Nicole Kidman in AMC Ad Parody

Gritty, one of professional sportsā€™ most monstrous mascots, celebrated the Philadelphia Flyers “New Era of Orange” with a hockey-themed rendition of Nicole Kidmanā€™s iconic AMC ad.

Recommended Videos

Wearing Kidmanā€™s instantly recognizable pinstripe suit, which has become a popular Halloween costume in recent years, Gritty squeaked his oversized shoes down the hallowed halls of Philadelphiaā€™s Wells Fargo Center. ā€œFlyers hockey feels good in a place like this,ā€ declared the voice-over artist, emulating Kidmanā€™s Australian accent. Clips of Flyersā€™ hockey – and, perhaps more importantly, hockey fights – played over Grittyā€™s sentimental visit to the empty arena.

Debuting in 2018, the orange Flyers’ mascot took the internet by storm with his chaotic nature and somewhat-cursed visage. Perhaps unsurprisingly designed by the same team behind the Philly Phanatic, Gritty shares DNA with the cityā€™s coterie of bizarre spokescreatures including the aforementioned Philliesā€™ furball and the retired Sixersā€™ mascot Hip Hop the Bunny. However, unlike other sports mascots, Gritty consistently takes advantage of a meme-worthy pop culture moments, such as Kidmanā€™s AMC advertisement.

Despite his towering and intimidating 7-foot stature, Gritty has commissioned an array of custom cosplays for his distinctive figure. Aside from his Kidman look, Gritty has shared recent posts in costume as Thanos and Margot Robbieā€™s Barbie as well as historic figures such as Benjamin Franklin. In light of Taylor Swiftā€™s NFL spotlight, Gritty also made sure to save a seat for the Philadelphia-area pop star at Wells Fargo Center.

Grittyā€™s pop culture currency goes both ways, with the mascot making cameos in the most recent seasons of both Abbott Elementary and Itā€™s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Both the Always Sunny cast and Gritty have likewise shown up to the Wells Fargo Centerā€™s neighboring Citizens Bank Park to support the Philly Phanatic and Philadelphia Phillies in their current playoff run. Grittyā€™s Kidman ad served to promote the 2023-2024 NHL Season, which started on Oct. 10.

As witnessed in Grittyā€™s AMC-style ad, the Philadelphia Flyers are promoting their upcoming hockey season as a “New Era of Orange.ā€ Aside from routing for the team at in-person games and in increasingly zany social media posts, Gritty has leveraged his impressive costuming capabilities into a 2024 glamour calendar for Flyers fans.


The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.Ā Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Tara McCauley
Tara McCauley
Nerd at large, Tara McCauley's happiest playing or writing about tabletop role playing games. Tara joined The Escapist in October 2023 as a freelance contributor. She covers such TV shows as Fargo and games/fandoms like Dungeons & Dragons. In addition to The Escapist, Tara has gushed about her favorite pop culture topics at CBR, MXDWN, and Monstrous Femme. When she's not writing or rolling dice, Tara can be found catching up on her favorite sitcoms, curled up with a horror comic, or waxing poetic about the WNBA.