Why Jason Kelce Is Convinced That the Philadelphia Flyers' Gritty Mascot Is 'Modeled' After Him

Mar. 15, 2025

Jason Kelce (left); Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty.Photo:Michael Loccisano/Getty; Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Michael Loccisano/Getty; Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Jason Kelcewants credit where credit is due.Theretired Philadelphia Eagles centeris sharing his theory that the famed Philadelphia Flyers mascotGrittywas actually based on his likeness.“I will take this to my grave. Gritty was started the year after the [2018 Super Bowl] parade,” Jason, 37, told his younger brotherTravis Kelceon the Wednesday, Feb. 26 episode of theirNew Heightspodcast. “That thing looks f—— just like me.”Gritty the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers.Len Redkoles/NHLI via GettyAfter Travis tried to change the subject, Jason doubled down, declaring, “Tell me that thing is not my likeness!”“Shut the f— up,” Travis told his brother, laughing it off.“Dude, they stole it. Look at those eyebrows,” Jason joked.But Travis insisted that Gritty “looks nothing like” his big brother.“You mean to tell me after the parade, the Flyers just so happen to come out with a mascot that looks like that?” Jason questioned.Travis wasn’t convinced, quipping, “Your eyebrows are aggressive, but they’re not that.”Jason was firm in his stance, claiming, “They’ll never admit it. This thing, they f—— modeled this thing after me.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.A longtime Flyers fan, Jason has regularly repped the hockey team’s orange jersey and attended games. He also played hockey in his youth ahead of his football career.Jason Kelce.John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via GettyGritty was first introduced as the team’s mascot in 2018, quickly going viral for its wild antics and look. The mascot was introduced after the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl.Christine Mina, the senior manager of digital media for the Flyers, shared that after the Eagles’ 2018 win and subsequent parade, they realized they were the only Philadelphia team without a mascot.“We were noticeably absent,” Mina toldThe Bleacher Reportin 2021. “And I think that was sort of the last little push we needed to to get serious about it. So, summer of 2018 was when we really got to work on the concept.”

Jason Kelcewants credit where credit is due.

Theretired Philadelphia Eagles centeris sharing his theory that the famed Philadelphia Flyers mascotGrittywas actually based on his likeness.

“I will take this to my grave. Gritty was started the year after the [2018 Super Bowl] parade,” Jason, 37, told his younger brotherTravis Kelceon the Wednesday, Feb. 26 episode of theirNew Heightspodcast. “That thing looks f—— just like me.”

Gritty the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers.Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty

Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty

After Travis tried to change the subject, Jason doubled down, declaring, “Tell me that thing is not my likeness!”

“Shut the f— up,” Travis told his brother, laughing it off.

“Dude, they stole it. Look at those eyebrows,” Jason joked.

But Travis insisted that Gritty “looks nothing like” his big brother.

“You mean to tell me after the parade, the Flyers just so happen to come out with a mascot that looks like that?” Jason questioned.

Travis wasn’t convinced, quipping, “Your eyebrows are aggressive, but they’re not that.”

Jason was firm in his stance, claiming, “They’ll never admit it. This thing, they f—— modeled this thing after me.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A longtime Flyers fan, Jason has regularly repped the hockey team’s orange jersey and attended games. He also played hockey in his youth ahead of his football career.

Jason Kelce.John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty

John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Gritty was first introduced as the team’s mascot in 2018, quickly going viral for its wild antics and look. The mascot was introduced after the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl.

Christine Mina, the senior manager of digital media for the Flyers, shared that after the Eagles’ 2018 win and subsequent parade, they realized they were the only Philadelphia team without a mascot.

“We were noticeably absent,” Mina toldThe Bleacher Reportin 2021. “And I think that was sort of the last little push we needed to to get serious about it. So, summer of 2018 was when we really got to work on the concept.”

source: people.com