From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rudy Ruettiger
Rudy Ruettiger
Rudy Ruettiger Notre Dame, but had to do his early college work at Holy
Cross College.
After two years at Holy Cross, and three rejections to
transfer to Notre Dame, Ruettiger was accepted as a stu-
dent in the fall of 1974. It was during his time studying at
Holy Cross that Ruettiger discovered he had dyslexia.
Ruettiger harbored a dream to play for the Notre
Dame Fighting Irish football team, despite being merely
5’6" and 165 pounds.[1] Head coach Ara Parseghian en-
couraged walk-on players from the student body. For ex-
ample, Notre Dame’s 1969 starting center, Mike Oriard,
was a walk-on who eventually won a Rhodes Scholarship
Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger dressed in his #45 for the Georgia Tech game and an NFL contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.[2]
Ruettiger earned a place on the Notre Dame scout
Notre Dame Fighting Irish — No. 45
team, a practice squad that helps the varsity team prac-
Defensive End 1976 tice for games. Merv Johnson was the coach who was in-
strumental in keeping Rudy on as a scout-team player.
Major: Sociology
After Parseghian stepped down after the 1974 season,
Date of birth: August 23, 1948 (1948-08-23) Dan Devine was named head coach. In Ruettiger’s last op-
Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Weight: 165 lb (75 kg;
portunity to play for Notre Dame at home, Devine put
11 st 11 lb) him into a game as defensive end against Georgia Tech
on November 8, 1975. In the movie Rudy, Devine is given
Career history
a somewhat antagonistic role, not wanting Rudy to dress
High school Joliet Catholic High School
school: for his last game. However, in actuality, it was Devine
who came up with the idea to dress Rudy. In the final
College(s):
• Holy Cross
play of Ruettiger’s senior season with the Fighting Irish,
• University of Notre Dame he recorded a sack,[3] which is all his Notre Dame stat
line has ever shown. Ruettiger actually played for two
Bowl games
plays.[3] The first time he was unable to get to the quar-
terback,[3] but on the second play he sacked[3] the Geor-
Career highlights and awards gia Tech quarterback, Rudy Allen.[4] Ruettiger was car-
The first of only two players to have been carried off the ried off the field by his teammates following the game.
field at Notre Dame. Ruettiger was the first of only two players in Notre
Dame history ever to be carried off the field by his team-
Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger (born August 23, 1948) mates. The other is Marc Edwards.[5][6]
is a motivational speaker and former collegiate football
player for the University of Notre Dame, who is best
known as the inspiration for the motion picture Rudy.
After college
In 1997 Ruettiger and his wife Cheryl founded the Rudy
Early life and college career Foundation. The Rudy Foundation created the Rudy
Award Program to benefit children’s advocacy pro-
Daniel Ruettiger (nicknamed "Rudy") had a hard time in grams.[7] The inaugural 2007 College Football Rudy
school because he was dyslexic. He was the third of four- Award was held on 8 January 2008 at the OpryLand Hotel
teen children. He attended Joliet Catholic High School, in Nashville, Tennessee.[8] The College Football Rudy
where he played for locally famous coach Gordie Gille- Award was created by the Rudy Foundation and honors
spie. Ruettiger joined the United States Navy after high Division I football players who demonstrate what Ruet-
school, serving as a yeoman on a communications com- tiger refers to as "The Four C’s": character, courage, con-
mand ship for two years; then he worked in a power plant tribution and commitment as a member of their team.[9]
for two years. He applied for entrance to University of The 2007 award was presented to Terry Clayton of the
University of Kentucky Wildcats and the 2008 award was
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rudy Ruettiger
presented to Drew Combs of the Texas Christian Univer- • Rudy’s Lessons for Young Champions ISBN
sity Horned Frogs. 9780965811903
• Rudy & Friends ISBN 9781880692394
• Dream Power (audio cassette)
Awards
• Honorary Doctorate Degree from Our Lady of Holy
Cross College
• The key to numerous cities across the nation along
with special proclamations for his inspiration,
commitment, and human spirit
• Honorary assist to the Attorney General of Louisiana
• Recognition from President George W. Bush
• Recognition at the White House
• Recognition from the House of Representatives in
the state of Texas
Ruettiger signs autographs after speaking at Ohio University • A Proclamation from the Governor of Nevada
in January, 2010.
granting an Official Rudy Award Day
On October 14, 2005, Ruettiger was the master of cer-
emonies at a pep rally for Notre Dame Football. The Notes
Fighting Irish were about to play rival and then [1] Ruettiger’s stats on his official website.
#1-ranked University of Southern California (USC) the [2] It’s Not All Fun and Games: college athletics, Notre
following day and Head Coach Charlie Weis asked some Dame Magazine Online, summer 2002
Notre Dame legends, including Tim Brown and Joe Mon- [3] ^ Youtube of final three plays
tana, to come back and speak at the rally. Ruettiger came [4] Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger recording the final sack
out of the tunnel at Notre Dame Stadium to a loud ova- for Notre Dame against Georgia Tech on November
tion.[10] Notre Dame ultimately lost the game. 8th, 1975 on YouTube
In July 2009, Ruettiger was initiated into the Kappa [5] Rudy Chasing the Frog
Sigma Fraternity at the National Convention in San Anto- [6] Dick Weiss, SLIGHTING IRISH HURTS ALLEGED USC
nio, Texas.[11] TAUNTS INSPIRE NOTRE DAME
In September 2009, Trusted Sports and Rudy [7] The Mission of the Rudy Foundation
launched the High School Football ’Rudy’ Awards, which [8] 2007 Rudy Award winner
aims to uncover the "Rudy" on every High School football [9] The Rudy Award
team in America. The award is presented to the most in- [10] "One for the ages: USC edges Notre Dame: Leinart
spirational High School football player who personifies pulls trickery with 3 seconds left, Bush scores 3 TDs
what Rudy calls "The Four C’s": Courage, Character, Com- in 34-31 win"; msnbc.com
mitment and Contribution. Inspired by the College Foot- [11] 67th Grand Conclave – Kappa Zeta For Outstanding
ball Rudy Awards, three finalists were announced on Fe- Year 2008 – 2009
bruary 3, 2010. The winner, Calob Leindecker of Baton [12] "Rudy (1993) – Full Cast and Crew"; imdb.com
Rouge, Louisiana, received a college scholarship totalling
$10,000. Two runners-up, Kyle Weafer of Kansas and
Justin Ray Duke of Texas each received $5,000 scholar- References
ships. • Pagna, Tom, "Notre Dame’s Era of Ara", Diamond
Ruettiger’s story was told in the 1993 film Rudy, Communications, Inc., 1976, ISBN 0-912083-74-3, pp
which starred actor Sean Astin in the title role as Rudy. 182–183, regarding Parseghian’s use of walk-ons.
The film was written by Angelo Pizzo, directed by David
Anspaugh and produced by Rob Fried, both of whom
were involved in Hoosiers. Ruettiger appeared in a cameo External links
as a fan behind Rudy’s father and brother during the final • Official website
scene.[12] • High School Football ’Rudy’ Awards
Persondata
Publications Name Ruettiger, Daniel
• Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life ISBN 9780965811910 Alternative names
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rudy Ruettiger
Short description Date of death
Date of birth 1948-08-23 Place of death
Place of birth Joliet, Illinois
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Ruettiger"
Categories: Living people, Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players, American Roman Catholics, American motiva-
tional speakers, 1948 births
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