Don’t Let Saban & Belichick Distract You From The Fact That Another Legend Hung It Up Today

NBC NEWS

An icon of the gum world has experienced its final chew.

Ferrara Candy Company confirmed to TODAY.com that it’s discontinuing Fruit Stripe Gum, which has been tickling taste buds since 1969.

“We have made the difficult decision to sunset Fruit Stripe Gum, but consumers may still be able to find product at select retailers nationwide,” a Ferrara representative tells TODAY.com in an email. “The decision to sunset this product was not taken lightly, and we considered many factors before coming to this decision, including consumer preferences, and purchasing patterns — and overall brand trends for Fruit Stripe Gum.”

54 years of stardom was enough for the Zebra.

Fruit Stripe gum may not be Juicy Fruit or Big Red, but it had it's place in society for the last half a century. You knew once you popped it in your mouth that it wasn't going to be there for a long time, but it would be there for a good time. If nothing less it was consistent in that way where you could count on it's flavor gassing out quicker than Big Easy in the final of The Gauntlet III.

I actually wholly respect that I don't believe they ever even tried to get that flavor to last longer. They knew what they were and they stuck with a pitch that was as strong and unique as the knuckleball.

So, Rest In Peace to a true Jordan & Pippen combo in Geoffrey the Giraffe and the Fruit Stripe Zebra. We'll never forget begging our parents to grab a pack in the check out line every single time.