Vince Papale

Vince Papale, whose career from schoolteacher to pro football is the subject of a forthcoming Disney movie, will be toastmaster of the 57th annual Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association banquet, to be held on Sunday, January 29, 2006, at 6 p.m., at the Bank One Center on the Riverfront.

Papale was a 28-year-old middle school teacher who had never played college football -- he had been a star hurdler at St. Joseph's -- when he responded to a tryout in 1974. It led to a six-year pro career as a wide receiver, the first two with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League, the rest with Dick Vermeil's Eagles. He became special teams captain and was honored by his teammates and the NFL for his community service. After his football career, Papale worked as a television sports announcer. He is now a mortgage banker. A cancer survivor, he is active in many charitable activities in the Delaware Valley. His story as the NFL's oldest rookie (other than placekickers) is the subject of Invincible, produced by Mark Ciardi and to be distributed by Disney in fall 2006.

At the banquet, the DSBA will honor the first-team high school all-state athletes in the six fall sports: football, volleyball, field hockey, soccer and boys and girls cross country.

The banquet will also honor the winners of the John J. Brady Award as Delaware's Outstanding Athlete of 2005, the Tubby Raymond Award as the state’s Coach of the Year, the Herm Reitzes Award for public service and the state’s team of the year.

Tickets are available at B&B Tickettown at $50 each. B&B contact information: 656-9797 or tickettown.org.