In the Giants game, when Mark Wahlberg is running down the sideline in special teams coverage, a Giants player hits him hard and knocks him down. This Giants player was a football player at the nearby University of Delaware, and was not supposed to contact Wahlberg, let alone knock him down. As a result of this, the player was told to leave the set, but the scene was kept.
Vince Papale's real children make cameos in the film. His son, Vincent, Jr., runs out in front of Mark Wahlberg's car to pick up a football, wearing the homemade number 83 jersey. His daughter Gabriella is the quarterback in the kid's football game and throws the ball to her brother, Vincent, Jr.
Although listed as wide receiver, Vince Papale played almost exclusively on Special Teams. The only reception in his career came in 1977 on a fifteen-yard pass from Roman Gabriel. This would be the final pass ever thrown by Gabriel, who was a four-time Pro Bowler and the 1969 NFL Most Valuable Player.
Greg Kinnear researched his role by spending time with Dick Vermeil during his final year as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.