UNDATED — The year was 1976. Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender and substitute teacher from Delaware County, walked onto the Philadelphia Eagles playing field for an “open tryout.”

This was Dick Vermeil’s first year as head coach inPhiladelphia.  Papale had an amazing outcome.  A movie of his story was made in 2006 called “Invincible.”  Papale was the only walk-on tryout to make the team and became a successful NFL player.

He says the movie made about his life was incredible and the actors in the film, were exceptional.  He says Mark Walberg did a perfect job portraying him and also appreciated the performance of Greg Kinnear, who played Coach Dick Vermeil in the movie.

Vince Papale was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008 and is now a spokesperson for cancer awareness.  He will be sharing his story at Geisinger Medical Center’s Henry Hood Center for Health Research on Saturday, March 3.

The public can attend the event at2:00p.m.with a book signing at 3:30p.m.  Papale lives with his wife and two children in New Jersey and is still an eagles fan. (Ali Stevens)