Frank Olivo, the substitute Santa who was booed and pelted with snowballs at a Vikings-Eagles game in Philadelphia more than 46 years ago, has died at the age of 66, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Olivo was only 19 when he temporarily put on the red suit and permanently became part of the Philly sports landscape.
“He is indelibly etched in Philadelphia sports history,” said former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, who was at the game. “For as long as there is professional football, the story of the Eagles fans pelting Santa Claus will always be told.”
Olivo wore the suit to the game, and when the Santa who was supposed to “perform” at halftime didn’t make it to Franklin Field, Olivo was pressed into service. And the 54,000-plus fans who showed up for the game seized the opportunity to show displeasure during the final game of the season.
Olivo never took it personally.
“I said, ‘Well, you know, I understand what’s going on here. They’re not booing me. They’re not just booing Santa Claus; they’re booing everything,’” Olivo previously told ESPN, via the Inquirer.
We extend our condolences to Olivo’s family and friends.
