Delco native, “Invincible” Vince Papale to be honored as the PSWA’s Living Legend
Over 40 years since an unknown kid from Glenolden, Pa., who never played college football suddenly found himself playing special teams for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles, Vince Papale still knows how extraordinary his story was.
Maybe that’s why they made the movie “Invincible” about it. Why he’s got his own website, where he sells books, T-shirts, replicas jerseys, you name it. Why he’s in demand for speaking engagements and cards shows, always telling people how special they are and if he can do it, they can too. And why will receive the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association’s Living Legend Award at the organization’s 119th Banquet on January 17, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, NJ. For ticket info and a complete list of honorees, click here.
“I’ve been told that by so many people it makes me laugh,” said the 77–year-old Papale from his home in Jupiter, Fla., though he has one in Queen Village, too. “I’m that kid from Glenolden. That Delco boy.
“When I think of legends I think of guys like Tommy McDonald, but not me.”
Unlike McDonald, Vince knows he wasn’t a Hall of Famer, considering his three-year NFL career with the Eagles from 1976-78 consisted of one 15-yard catch and two special-teams fumble recoveries. Yet around these parts, he became a folk hero, since so many could identify with him.
“I relate to a lot of people simply because of the way I got there and what my background was,” said Papale, who after playing briefly for the World Football League Philadelphia Bell, caught the eye of fist-year Eagles coach Dick Vermeil during a tryout camp. “Being a season-ticket holder for 10 years, being a fan – how many of us had those dreams?
“You’re an athlete sitting there thinking ‘If only I’d had that shot.’ Dick Vermeil gave me that chance and everything fell into place. The timing was perfect.
“I was the dreamer who had it come true and it worked out beautifully.”
It still hasn’t stopped. Mention the name Vince Papale and people will smile, calling him a real-life “Rocky.” But Vince remains convinced if he’d played in Minnesota, Denver or some other NFL city, he wouldn’t have been such a big deal.
“With Philly being the kind of town it is, I think the perception the fans have of themselves is that they’re tough fans, gutty, gritty, hard-working, lower middle class,” he declared. “I fit right into that genre.
“The fact I was a schoolteacher (at Interboro High, his former school), had done a little bartending, all the little funky things, people related and grabbed onto it.”
At the same time he says there’s more to it.
“You have to be willing to pay the price, because it’s not for free,” said the former track athlete at Saint Joseph’s. “But don’t let people tell you, whatever your resume, you can’t do it.
“They told me ‘You’re too this. Too that. There’s no way you can convert from track to the NFL.’”
Vince Papale didn’t listen to those naysayers and proved them wrong. So what’s the formula?
“Just surround yourself with positive people,” he replied. “Take care of your body and your mind. Be aware of what’s out there.
“There’s a book called ‘Win the Day.’ I did that and survived colon cancer. So be prepared for whatever’s out there. Have fun and enjoy life.”
That’s what made Papale so ‘Invincible’ – his trademark and the title of that 2006 movie starring Mark Wahlberg, with whom he still keeps in touch.
“You can’t do it alone,” he emphasized. “It takes teamwork. Teamwork makes the dream work.
“There is that greatness within you. Be Invincible.”
Or in Vince Papale’s case, be a legend.