A week ago we asked our readers a big question. From the Sixers to the screenwriters, Paul to the Man Who Drank Beer, which local icon made Philadelphia a distinct sensation in 2022?
After over 79,000 votes, we got the answer. Some are surprising and some are so obvious that it made me wonder why we asked.
TikToker’s Bran Edelman, known for spending Savage Fridays in Philadelphia bars, and Twitter influencer Alexander Tominsky, best known for his commitment to eating the driest rotisserie chicken imaginable. A controversial competition erupted in the wildcard category between the The pair received the most votes in any category.
Meanwhile, longtime favorites like Gritti and Joel Embiid failed to close out their respective categories, begging the question: What is Philadelphia, if not the wild card itself?
it’s here who came up.
Philadelphia celebrity: Jim Gardner
The now-retired 6ABC anchor secured just over 42% of the votes in his category, making him as iconic as ActionNews’ theme song.right behind Abbott Elementary School Star and creator Quinta Branson’s Philadelphia-based workplace comedy hit the Golden Globes with a bang.
Miles Teller (and his mustache) came in third, followed by comedian Avi Jacobson and rapper Tierra Wak.
Philly Athlete: Bryce Harper
Although he didn’t win the World Series, the Phils’ de facto captain was by a wide margin the most-voted Philadelphia athlete. Harper received more than 33% of the votes for his category, with Eagles brothers Jaylen Hurts and Jason Kelce in second place.
But there was little love over the lumbering Sixers. Tyreese’s Maxxie and Joel Embiid each got less than 10% of the votes for her, as fans began to question how much faith they should place in the process.
Philadelphia Mascot: Fanatic
It’s a fanatic world and we all seem to live in it.
The bloated green bird received more than 54% of the votes, beating Flyers’ mascot and incidental left-wing icon Gritty by more than 20%.No other city mascot is better Less than 5% of the votes in this category — including Sixers’ Franklin the Dog, whom this writer firmly believes just a drake in disguise.
Big Philly Fan: Kyle Pagan
Best known as the Byrds fan whisperer thanks to a street interview outside Lincoln Financial Field, Pagan used his fame on TikTok to secure 35% of the vote.Rob Dunphy and Philadelphia His chest in the center tattoo is now silver, so I hope he gets the Inquirer’s logo engraved on his neck.
Twitter dance queen Marybelle Alston and freestyle rapper Monty G were next, followed by 76ers sixth man Al Horowitz.
Philly Wildcard: @Bran_flakezz
Bran Edelman — better known by his TikTok handle @bran_flakezz — defeated Chickenman Tominsky with 48% of the votes. What’s next for him: throwing a party to celebrate, he told the Inquirer in a text.
Sean Hagan finished third in the same way he climbed the pole at Broad Street, while Philly Elmo and Candy Lady Lynette D. Morrison finished fourth and fifth respectively.
