Papale’s performance with the Philadelphia Bell earned him a meeting in 1976 with head coach Dick Vermeil of the Philadelphia Eagles after general manager Jim Murray got him an invitation to a private workout held by Coach Vermeil. Papale finally made the team, thereby becoming, at age 30, the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL to play without the benefit of college football experience (other than kickers). He resumed playing wide receiver and special teams for the Eagles from 1976 through 1978. During that time, he played in 41 of 44 regular-season games(regular seasons being 14 games in 1976–1977 and 16 games in 1978) recording two fumble recoveries and one 15-yard reception.
He was elected as the Special Teams Captain by his teammates and Man of the Year by the Eagles in 1978 for his many helping activities. In 1979, he had a shoulder injury that ended his career. He worked as a TV and radio broadcaster for eight years after retiring from the NFL, then became a commercial mortgage banker. Papale acquired the nickname Rocky after the Sylvester Stallone character while playing with the Eagles, was the subject of the Disney movie Invincible, with Mark Wahlberg portraying him. Moreover, Papale’s legend was cited as a factor in the Eagles’ signing of construction foreman/tight end Jeff Thomason for 2005’s Super Bowl XXXIX.
