During the 1970s, the Philadelphia Eagles endure a string of losing seasons and irate fans. To spice things up for his organization, newly hired Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil decides to hold open tryouts in 1976 for a spot on the pro football team's roster. Vince Papale is a 30-year-old bartender who has just lost his part-time teaching job. He had gone to Saint Joseph's University (then known as St. Joseph's College) on a track scholarship. Disgusted with his professional failure, his wife Sharon (Lola Glaudini) abruptly leaves him, taking all of their furniture with her and leaving a note saying that he will never be anything in the world.
