The Truth About the "Philly Fans Booed Santa" Myth

The Myth vs. The Reality of a Slushy December Day

The incident in question took place on December 15, 1968, at Franklin Field. The Philadelphia Eagles were having a miserable season, limping toward the finish line with a 2-11 record. The weather was just as dismal—cold and slushy, with a snowstorm that had blanketed the city.

The key detail often lost to history is this: the man who was booed was not the "real" Santa Claus. The professional Santa hired for the halftime Christmas Pageant was stranded by the snowstorm. In a last-minute scramble, a 20-year-old fan named Frank Olivo, who had come to the game in a red corduroy Santa suit, was plucked from the stands to fill in.

So, when a thin, seemingly unprepared substitute Santa took the field, the 54,535 cold, frustrated fans, who had braved a blizzard to watch their losing team, unleashed their pent-up disappointment. It wasn't a proud moment, but the boos and snowballs were aimed at a scrawny stand-in, a symbol of a season that had gone completely wrong, not at the beloved figure of Santa Claus himself.

While the incident received little attention in the local media at the time, it was famously highlighted by legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell on his weekend report. It was this national exposure that embedded the story into Philadelphia lore and cemented a reputation that has followed the city's fans for over 50 years.

The "Santa" Who Understood

The substitute Santa, Frank Olivo, made peace with his unique place in sports history long before he passed away in 2015. He never held a grudge. In an ESPN interview, he famously defended the very fans who had booed him.

"I understood what was going on. I knew what it was all about," Olivo said. "The Philadelphia fans are the best in the world. I don’t care what anybody says; they live and die with their teams.”

A Different Kind of Loyalty

While the "booing Santa" story is used to paint them as villains, the true character of Philadelphia fans is found in their fierce and unwavering loyalty. They will boo a poor performance, but they will cheer with a passion that is unmatched.

• They gave former 76ers star Allen Iverson a thunderous, 10-minute standing ovation when he returned to the city for the first time as an opponent in 2007.

• They famously took over an entire section of Chicago's Wrigley Field in 2016, leading a resounding "E-A-G-L-E-S" chant during a Phillies game.

• They gave former Phillies hero Chase Utley three separate standing ovations when he returned to Philadelphia for the first time as a Los Angeles Dodger in 2016.

Conclusion:

The story of the booed Santa is a complex piece of Philadelphia history, born from a perfect storm of bad weather, a terrible football team, and a last-minute substitution. While it may never be fully retired, understanding the real story reveals something much deeper about the city's fans: they are loud, they are passionate, and above all, they are loyal to a fault. They demand the best, and they give their unwavering support in return—a truth that is far more telling than a few snowballs tossed on a miserable day in 1968.

Sources:

• "The Great Philadelphia Fan Book" by Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano
• ESPN interviews and historical sports reports
• Local and national sports archives

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