For all of the negativity surrounding the city of Philadelphia’s fanbase (focused on Eagle fans in particular) from national sports reporters and TV pundits regarding a certain Jolly Old Man having snowballs thrown at him, I decided to research the facts and find out what the truth really is.
The History:
The story dates back to 1968, for 56 years people have talked about this!
The Eagles started that season 0–11, which was terrible, matching their league-worst losing streak of 11 games from 1936. On the other hand, it brought excitement that the team could finish dead last. Which would position the Eagles to draft the best player in college football during the 1969 NFL Draft. A player who is now as infamous as the Santa Claus snowball-throwing incident. Orentahl James Simpson. The Juice, OJ!
Much to the chagrin of Eagles fans, it was not meant to be. The team was bad, but not bad enough. They won 2 games in a row, which took away the little bit of joy that fans had to look forward to. The 1968 team could not accomplish being bad enough to be the worst.
The Buffalo Bills drafted O.J. after finishing with a 1–12–1 record. The Eagles finished with the 3rd worst record and pivoted to choose Leroy Keyes. They selected Leroy one pick ahead of legendary NFL HOF, Mean Joe Greene. What a draft!
Can you imagine how Howie Roseman would have been treated if he made such a blunder in today’s social media-driven world? Selecting a player nobody remembers that was sandwiched between two of the most iconic players in NFL history. Eagles’ fans thought Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson was bad. I digress.
The Setting:
On December 15, 1968, the Eagles hosted their 14th and last game of the season. Fifty-four thousand five hundred and thirty brave souls sat in over a half a foot of snow-covered seats, watching their Eagles lose to the Vikings. The game was tied 7–7 at the half; they eventually would lose 24–17. The fans were cold and angry. The scene is set for a halftime show, except the guy booked to play the role of Santa decided not to show up to the windy, frigid, snow-filled stadium.
The halftime entertainment had already been changed due to inclement weather. Initially, there was a Christmas pageant scheduled. (Can you imagine if pageant contestants were bombarded with snowballs? I don’t know which would have been worse.) So they were desperate to find a replacement and searched the stands, looking for someone dressed as Santa. They saw Frank Olivo and just like that a legend was born!
The Eagles’ Infamous Santa Claus Snowball Story!
Olivo agrees to go on the field, and the now infamous Santa Clause is introduced over the stadium speakers.
“The Philadelphia Eagles wish you a Merry Christmas!” Que Santa to center stage.
Santa, is 19-year-old, Frank Olivo. He stands 5’6 140 lbs and is about to be greeted differently than expected. The band begins to play “Here Comes Santa Clause.” Olivo runs onto the field. When he reaches the end zone, snowballs start flying.
Olivo recalled the events of that afternoon in 2005.
“When I hit the end zone, and the snowballs started, I was waving my finger at the crowd, saying ‘You’re not getting anything for Christmas’”
For a 19- year-old, he sure took those events in stride.
“I’m a Philadelphia fan, I knew what was what. I thought it was funny.”
But he also had no desire to do that again.
“When I finished, Mr. Mullen asked if I wanted to do it again the next year, I told him, ‘No way. If it doesn’t snow, they’ll probably throw beer bottles.”
The events of that day followed him his entire life.
This is from his obituary online.
“As an avid and loyal Philadelphia sports fan, Frank cherished his place in Philadelphia sports history as the infamous Santa Claus during the snowball incident at Franklin Field in December 1968.”
The Conclusion:
So, were the actions of a few (hundred?) frustrated fans on that fateful day that bad? Is this worthy of being discussed in a negative way 56-plus years later? You decide, but remember the story most people have heard and how it has been portrayed in the media is about as real as Santa Claus himself.
As always, Thank you for reading!
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Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
