Vince Papale became the oldest rookie in the National Football League when, at the age of 30, he won a spot on the roster of the Philadelphia Eagles. While working as a school teacher and part-time a bartender at night, he heard a news report that the team was inviting local athletes to try out for the team. A track star while in college, Vince decided to go for it. The rest, as they say, is history, and the subject of the popular Disney film, "The Invincible." In his keynote speeches, this remarkable athlete tells this story of determination and hope, inspiring his audiences to keep their dreams, and their skills, alive for that special moment when opportunity presents itself.

In 1976, Vince Papale was working as a school teacher and a part-time bartender. Philadelphia Eagles' then -rookie head coach Dick Vermeil held a press conference and invited some locals, including Vince, who was a former track star, to a workout. The rest is history.

Vince showed up at the workout and ran a 4.5 40-yard dash, a world-class time! Coach Vermeil offered Vince a contract on the spot, but this 30-year-old walk-on still had to make the team. Vince overcame tremendous odds to become the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL. He eventually became a team captain and played in the NFL for four years. He was voted Man of the Year by the Eagles in 1978, for his many charitable activities and honored by the NFL.

His story is the inspiration for the movie INVINCIBLE which hit theatres in 2006. Vince's inspirational journey from humble working class beginnings and troubled home life, to
successful professional athlete and businessman is a story that audiences of all demographics
will relate to. His story is the subject of not only the major motion picture from Disney, but a book too.

Vince is a Graduate of Interboro High School (1964) - a 3 sport Varsity Letter winner senior year in football, basketball & track. He still holds the Outdoor Pole Vault record.

He attended St. Joseph's College from 1964 -1968 and graduated with an MS Degree in Marketing/Management Science. He received a full athletic scholarship for Track & Field.

Papale captained the Track Team his Senior Year and was recipient of the Most Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1968. He still holds the Indoor Pole Vault record.

Vince taught Middle School Business Education at Interboro School District from 1968 to 1974. He also served as H. S. Head Coach for Track & Field and Assistant Football Coach.

Papale left Interboro in the spring of 1974 to try out for the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League. He made the team as a Wide Receiver and played for them for 2 seasons (the league folded in 1975).

In 1976, at the age of 30, Vince tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles, made the team, and became the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL. He still holds that record! He was with the Eagles for 4 seasons as a wide receiver and was voted Special Teams Captain by his teammates. A shoulder injury ended his career in 1979. Papale was voted "Man of the Year" by the Eagles in 1978 for his many charitable activities.

After retiring with the Eagles after the 1979 season, he was a TV and radio broadcaster for 8 years. After that, Vince entered the world of commercial mortgage banking which led to his present position as a Marketing Executive & Special Projects Director for Sallie Mae, the nation's #1 student financial aid company.

Papale is married to the former Janet Cantwell. They reside in Cherry Hill, NJ with their two children, Gabriella & Vincent. Janet is a former member of the USA World Gymnastics team and has coached and taught gymnastics all over the world. They are the only married couple to have been inducted individually into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

A movie about Vince Papale called "Invincible" was released in 2006 and opened to rave reviews finishing #1 at the box office 2 weeks in a row! It features Mark Wahlberg as Papale; Greg Kinnear as former Eagles Coach Dick Vermeil; and Elizabeth Banks as Janet