BETA
Chapter 1
The miserable winter of 1968
Chapter 2
A substitute Santa takes the field
Chapter 3
How a snowball fight became a legend
YOUR GOAL
Master of When Philadelphia pelted Santa Claus
Ch 2 · A substitute Santa takes the field
dash Dodge incoming snowballs to figure out why angry Philadelphia fans turned on Santa in 1968.
dash Philadelphia's Snowballed Santa
They threw those snowballs down (oh no!) / A fake Santa took the field (no way!)
dash Frank Olivo walked onto the snowy field accompanied by cheerleaders dressed as elves, expecting a warm holiday reception.
dash Eagles staff spotted 20-year-old fan Frank Olivo wearing a cheap Santa suit in the crowd and begged him to help.
Fun Fact
Accidental Santa: Frank Olivo only wore his Santa suit to the game hoping to get on television, never expecting to actually perform on the field.
Glossary
substitute (noun)
A person or thing acting or serving in place of another. In December 1968, spectator Frank Olivo acted as a substitute Santa Claus at Franklin Field.
A person or thing acting or serving in place of another. In December 1968, spectator Frank Olivo acted as a substitute Santa Claus at Franklin Field.
Quiz
Who was the Eagles' entertainment director who frantically recruited the substitute Santa from the stands?
Quiz
How did the Eagles' public relations staff describe Frank Olivo's impromptu Santa costume?
Quiz
What holiday tunes were playing as the substitute Santa walked onto the field at Franklin Field?
Quiz
What was the name of the 20-year-old fan who stepped in to play Santa Claus at halftime?
Quiz
Why did the original actor hired to play Santa Claus fail to show up at the Eagles game?