Vince Papale
Where Are They Now: WR Vince Papale
September 8, 2004
By GARY KRAVITZ
Vince Papale is committed to helping all students throughout Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania achieve their dreams.
"I'm the regional director of marketing and senior account executive for higher education marketing at Sallie Mae, which offers federally guaranteed loans to students and universities throughout the tri-state area," said Papale, a graduate of Saint Joseph's University. "Our job is to provide financial assistance, internet usage, and any type of support to students who want to attend college, but may have some 'roadblocks' in the way.
"I enjoy speaking at college campuses and seeing all the vibrant energy which takes place."
Papale, 58, is really the perfect man for his line of work because he is familiar with facing adversity, having a passion, and the fulfillment of a dream.
Currently residing in Cherry Hill, N.J., with his wife Janet, two children, Gabriella (10) and Vincent (7), the former Eagles' wide receiver/special teams performer enjoys landscaping and reading books written by J.K. Rowling to his children.
A die-hard Eagles fan who grew up living in Glenolden, Pa., he admired the play of Hall of Fame wide receiver Tommy McDonald.
"I loved watching him play because he was somebody everyone can relate to, and he was just so tough," Papale said. "As a youngster, I noticed he wasn't big in size only being 5-9, 176 pounds, but he had a lot of heart.
"I loved the way he would go across the middle and catch the ball, take a big hit and pop right back up."
Papale wanted to be an Eagle just like his football idol, but never played football in college because he was on a track scholarship. Also, (SJU) did not have a football program. However, the desire to play competitive football always burned inside him even after graduating.
So while teaching accounting, business law, and a consumer economics class at his alma mater, Interboro High School, Papale joined the former minor league football team, the Philadelphia Bells, as a wide receiver. His performance with them later helped him earn an invitation of a lifetime.
"Former general manager Jim Murray informed me that Coach (Dick) Vermeil was having a private workout and invited me to attend. So here I am, a 30-year-old school teacher trying out for the Eagles and I made the squad," said Papale, who holds the record as the oldest rookie in NFL history who never played college football, excluding kickers.
In fact, Papale, who had the nickname "Rocky" when playing with the Birds, will be featured in a movie called Invincible, which is expected to be released during the fall of 2006. The movie will be centered around Papale's journey on how he became a Philadelphia Eagle.
During his stint with the team, Papale was a key contributor on the special teams coverage unit with his noticeable track-like strides and "big-hit" ability.
Explaining his greatest memory on the coverage team unit, he said: "Against the Giants (my rookie season) I was coming down the field so hard that I made two Giant players collide with the punt returner and he ended up fumbling the ball and I recovered it. Our offense would score a touchdown on the ensuing series and we defeated them, 20-7, giving Dick Vermeil his first win as an NFL coach."
Papale continued to speak about his overall play on special teams and the coach he loved: "Coach Vermeil always told me that when I made a tackle on special teams, the Veterans Stadium turf would shake. He (Dick Vermeil) was the greatest coach the Eagles ever had. He gave me an opportunity and a chance that nobody else in the NFL would have."
Papale also said he would have loved the opportunity to play for current special teams coordinator John Harbaugh: "He's a young, entertaining, energetic coach and he's the absolute best in the business. In that way, he's very similar to my coach (former Eagles special teams coach Ken Iman). But Harbaugh's scheme is great because he always puts you in great position to make big plays. I would have loved to play for him."
The positive attitude, determination, and work ethic Papale showed as an Eagles player was truly put to the test when he was fighting a life-threatening disease just three years ago.
"I'm a cancer survivor, and because of this, both my family and I donate a lot of our time to charities dealing with cancer such as Eagles' Fly for Leukemia, which is very close to my heart. I'm also a national spokesperson for colorectal cancer prevention."
Papale's said he learned a lot from overcoming the disease: "You truly can not take anything for granted. Focus on the big picture because life is too short to sweat the small stuff."
