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| Vince Papale - Chester/Prospect Park |
Vince Papale was born in Chester, Pennsylvania and attended Interboro High School in Prospect Park where he excelled in football, basketball, and track and field.
He attended St. Joseph's University on a track scholarship and as a junior won a United States Track & Field Federation college development pole vault at Madison Square Garden.
Papale's post-collegiate football career began with the Aston Green Lights of the semi-pro Seaboard Football League. Papale was a teacher at Interboro High School and was coaching the Junior Varsity Football Team when he successfully tried out for the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League as a wide receiver.
In his first season, Papale caught nine passes and in 1975 caught only one pass for a forty-nine yard touchdown. His performance earned him a meeting with Eagle's coach Dick Vermeil. He eventually made the team, thereby at age 30, becoming the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL to play without the benefit of college football experience. He was voted Special Teams Captain by his teammates and Man of the Year by the Eagles in 1978 for his many charitable activities. A shoulder injury ended his football career in 1979.
Papale's determination and indomitable spirit were the inspiration for the 2006 movie Invincible, starring Mark Wahlburg as Papale.
Today he remains a sought-after speaker, and is the regional director of marketing and senior account executive for higher-education marketing at Sallie Mae.
