Surprising Twist in It's Always Sunny Season 16: A Legendary Philly Sports Icon Takes Center Stage (Hint: It's Not Jalen Hurts)

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Season 16, Episode 5 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia titled "Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab." Adding to the trend of featuring notable personalities from Philadelphia, this episode finally introduces a local sports legend. However, it's not Jalen Hurts, as Mac had hoped. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has a history of including cameos from Philly sports icons, such as Jason Kelce from the Eagles and Chase Utley from the Phillies, who has made two appearances in the show so far in its 16th season. With two more seasons in the works, the number of Philly sports figures making appearances is set to increase.

While the notable guest stars in Season 16's "Celebrity Booze: The Ultimate Cash Grab" are Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad, there is also a hint at the presence of a local celebrity. Mac mistakenly believes that Jalen Hurts, the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, is in the bar's bathroom where the gang is attempting to meet Cranston and Paul. Mac and Dennis then try to pitch a business opportunity to Hurts. However, when the bathroom door opens, it's not Jalen Hurts who emerges, but rather a prominent figure from Philly's hockey scene.

The Flyers Mascot Gritty's Cameo In It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 16 Explained

Gritty, the beloved mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, makes a surprise guest appearance in episode 5 of season 16 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In this episode, Mac continues to pitch his gang's booze scheme to Gritty, who is known for his mischievous nature and has gained fame beyond the confines of Philadelphia. Interestingly, this is not Gritty's first cameo in a Philadelphia-based sitcom, as he also appeared in an episode of Abbott Elementary in its second season.

Although Jalen Hurts, as Mac had teased, does not make an appearance in season 16 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the inclusion of Gritty is a fantastic tribute to the show's affection for Philadelphia culture. Furthermore, Gritty's cameo references a previous episode from season 6, "Mac's Big Break," where Mac and Charlie participated in a contest at a Philadelphia Flyers game and scored a goal on the ice. However, Gritty was not present in that episode since his character was introduced only in 2018, almost eight years after Mac attended the game.

Gritty Finally Fulfills It's Always Sunny’s Real Philadelphia Sports Mascot Cameo

Gritty's appearance in season 16 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia brings back memories of another iconic Philly mascot cameo, but this time, the real mascot gets to make the cameo. In a season 5 episode titled "World Series Defense," the gang attempts to attend the Philadelphia Phillies' World Series game, and Charlie ends up causing trouble with the team's mascot, known as the "Phillie Phrenetic" within the show. In reality, the Philadelphia baseball mascot is called the Phillie Phanatic, but It's Always Sunny had to alter the name due to MLB's rejection of their request to feature the mascot (via It's Always Sunny Podcast).

After being denied the chance to include Philly's beloved green mascot in its entirety in 2009, It's Always Sunny finally showcases the true furry orange mascot of Philly, 14 years later. Given the increasing number of sports icons making guest appearances on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it wouldn't be unexpected for the authentic Phillie Phanatic and the Eagles' mascot Swoop to also make cameos in future seasons of the show. If anything, now is the opportune moment for Charlie's own personal Philadelphia sports mascot, known as "Green Man," to stage a comeback.