Gryphon
Merge Ahead
- Messages
- 3,407
- Reaction score
- 31
http://www.sportspickle.com/features/volume5/2006-0823-papale.html
50-Year-Old Vince Papale Makes the Eagles as Their No. 1 Receiver
The dramatic real-life story of Vince Papale, the bartender and substitute teacher who walked on to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976, added another inspiring chapter today as the now 50-year-old Papale made the receiver-depleted 2006 Eagles squad as their No. 1 wideout.
“It’s great to be back in the NFL,” said Papale. “I’m well past my prime, but I know I’m still far better than anyone else they have on this team. I mean – Reggie Brown, Greg Lewis, Todd Pinkston, Jabar Gaffney. Who are these pieces of crap? They even have a moguls skier, for crying out loud. I’m the only guy Donovan McNabb can throw a pass to and at least have a glimmer of hope that it’s going to be caught.”
Papale’s tale of making the Eagles at age 30 without a single season of college football experience has been made into the movie “Invincible,” which will hit theatres on Friday. Actor Mark Wahlberg, who plays Papale in the movie, says he hopes Papale’s latest roster spot will pave the way for a sequel.
“We could make Invincible into a sort of franchise,” said Wahlberg. “The first one will be an inspirational biopic, and then second can be dramedy – a tale of a titleless, hopeless franchise with a bunch or ragtag players that turns to an aging has-been to save them. Sort of a Bad News Bears meets Necessary Roughness meets Rocky VI. I really think it could work.”
Andy Reid said Papale caught his eye in camp in late July when he was a guest at an Eagles practice.
“Donovan was shooting the breeze with him before practice, tossing the ball around, and I was amazed at how much chemistry they had,” said Reid. “Donovan threw probably 20 or 25 passes to him and I think I only saw Vince drop one, maybe two. I dream of that kind of success with our other receivers. To my knowledge, Reggie Brown has never caught two balls in a row in his life. You can’t throw more than a pass or two to Todd Pinkston without him cracking a rib or breaking a finger. The guy is a total puss. But this Papale guy is dependable. He may not be fast, he may not be big, but he’s really excited to be playing pro football. That’s the kind of morale guy that is important to have during a losing season like we’re about to have.”
50-Year-Old Vince Papale Makes the Eagles as Their No. 1 Receiver
The dramatic real-life story of Vince Papale, the bartender and substitute teacher who walked on to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976, added another inspiring chapter today as the now 50-year-old Papale made the receiver-depleted 2006 Eagles squad as their No. 1 wideout.
“It’s great to be back in the NFL,” said Papale. “I’m well past my prime, but I know I’m still far better than anyone else they have on this team. I mean – Reggie Brown, Greg Lewis, Todd Pinkston, Jabar Gaffney. Who are these pieces of crap? They even have a moguls skier, for crying out loud. I’m the only guy Donovan McNabb can throw a pass to and at least have a glimmer of hope that it’s going to be caught.”
Papale’s tale of making the Eagles at age 30 without a single season of college football experience has been made into the movie “Invincible,” which will hit theatres on Friday. Actor Mark Wahlberg, who plays Papale in the movie, says he hopes Papale’s latest roster spot will pave the way for a sequel.
“We could make Invincible into a sort of franchise,” said Wahlberg. “The first one will be an inspirational biopic, and then second can be dramedy – a tale of a titleless, hopeless franchise with a bunch or ragtag players that turns to an aging has-been to save them. Sort of a Bad News Bears meets Necessary Roughness meets Rocky VI. I really think it could work.”
Andy Reid said Papale caught his eye in camp in late July when he was a guest at an Eagles practice.
“Donovan was shooting the breeze with him before practice, tossing the ball around, and I was amazed at how much chemistry they had,” said Reid. “Donovan threw probably 20 or 25 passes to him and I think I only saw Vince drop one, maybe two. I dream of that kind of success with our other receivers. To my knowledge, Reggie Brown has never caught two balls in a row in his life. You can’t throw more than a pass or two to Todd Pinkston without him cracking a rib or breaking a finger. The guy is a total puss. But this Papale guy is dependable. He may not be fast, he may not be big, but he’s really excited to be playing pro football. That’s the kind of morale guy that is important to have during a losing season like we’re about to have.”
