Vince Papale is a true local hero. His story - that you should never give up and always continue to pursue your dreams - embodies the spirit of Philadelphia and serves to empower anyone who has ever been told they can’t achieve their goals.
A 1964 graduate of Interboro High School, Vince was a three sport varsity letter winner his senior year in football, basketball and track and still holds the outdoor pole vault record.
He received a full athletic scholarship for track & field to St. Joseph's College and graduated with a MS Degree in marketing/management in 1968. While at St. Joe’s he captained the track team and was recipient of the Most Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1968. He still holds the school’s indoor pole vault record.
Upon graduation, Vince taught middle school business education for seven years in the Interboro School District. He also served as high school head coach for track & field and assistant football coach.
Vince left Interboro in the spring of 1974 to try out for the Philadelphia Bell of the WFL. He made the team as a receiver and played two seasons before 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 four seasons as a wide receiver before a shoulder injury ended his career in 1979. While active, he was voted special teams captain by his teammates and in 2007 he was voted the most outstanding special teams player in the 75-year history of the Eagles. Vince also was voted "Man of the Year" by the Eagles in 1978 for his many charitable activities.
After retiring with the Eagles following the 1979 season, he was a television and radio broadcaster for eight years. After that, Vince entered the world of commercial mortgage banking which led to his current position as a marketing executive and special projects director for Sallie Mae, the nation's #1 student financial aid company.
Vince is married to the former Janet Cantwell. They reside in Cherry Hill, NJ, with their two children, Gabriella and 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.
In 2006, Disney released a movie about Vince called "Invincible" that opened to rave reviews finishing #1 at the box office two weeks in a row! It features Mark Wahlberg as Vince; Greg Kinnear as former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil; and Elizabeth Banks as Janet.
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Testimonials
I want to personally thank you for your wonderful presentation. There is
quite a buzz even this morning about the impact you made on our event.
Your talk was able to span the wide age group that was present and to
say the least you played very well to a predominately female crowd. Your
message was specific yet broad enough to touch many people and was able to tie in with our corporate theme. I would be glad to be quoted or any
Testimonials you may be collecting. Thanks for allowing all the pictures and autographs.
- John D. Unangst - President/CEO
Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union
"Thanks so much for your time and interest for meeting and spending time with soldiers returning from Iraq this past week. They sincerely appreciate it when people come out and it is a special treat when they can meet a celebrity. It was my great pleasure to meet you, Janet and your children. Thanks for giving back so much with the soldiers and the cancer survivors in Houston that you mentioned. I am a believer in community service and have a great appreciation for anyone who makes time and effort to do so.” - CSM Herbert D. Dean - 71st Troop Command
”Vince Papale brings an enthusiasm, passion and energy to each and every crowd we’ve presented him to. His story is both inspirational and motivational and leaves every group he speaks with uplifted.”
Mollie Plotkin
Director of Corporate Marketing, Philadelphia Sports Group
"Your speech filled our attendees with renewed enthusiasm for the importance of helping kids hold fast to dreams!"
- Christina Milano National College Access Network:
“Thank you again for speaking to the PDE members at our annual business meeting last week. As you know we’ve had some pretty big names in the past but everyone agreed that you and your talk were by far the best. You have a great story to tell, and I know it should help everyone who hears it with their life and all of its potential problems.”
John Braithwaite, Pharmasource Consulting, Inc.
You did a great job speaking at the Cingular meeting last week. The employees are still talking about it....you really inspired the gang and generated a lot of enthusiasm....Everybody was very impressed with your story and how you presented it.
- John Caras - Cingular
Hey Vince, I just wanted to drop you a note to say thanks for your great work on Radio Row at the Super Bowl. You did a tremendous job with all of the interviews, and as always, I appreciated your professionalism and your high energy level.
- Chip Namias - President, Athlete & Event Sports Public Relations
Vince Papale brings an enthusiasm, passion and energy to each and
every crowd we've presented him to. His story is both inspirational and
motivational and leaves every group he speaks with uplifted. We are
proud to be working with Vince!
- Mollie Plotkin & Ellen Barkann - The Philadelphia Sports Group
