Was Wahlberg the first choice?

I'm wondering if Mark Wahlberg was the first and only choice to play Vince Papale. Was anyone else ever considered? And why Wahlberg? For one, Wahlberg is way shorter than the real Vince. He doesn't look like him and he's not Italian. Don't get me wrong, I liked Mark Wahlberg as Papale and I love the movie. Just curious.