Daniel Ruettiger
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Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger (b. August 23, 1948 in Joliet, Illinois) is a motivational speaker best known as the inspiration for the motion picture Rudy.
Ruettiger grew up in a middle class household; the third of fourteen children. He attended Joliet Catholic High School, where he played for legendary coach Gordie Gillespie and led the team in tackles his junior and senior years. An October 1965 program from a state semi-final game against Decatur lists Ruettiger as the smallest linebacker in Illinois at the time. After graduating high school, Ruettiger served as a yeoman in the United States Navy and worked in a power plant before returning to school at Holy Cross Junior College in South Bend, Indiana.
After two years at Holy Cross, and three rejections to matriculate at the University of Notre Dame, Ruettiger was accepted as a student in the Fall of 1974. It was during his time studying at Holy Cross that Ruettiger discovered he suffered from dyslexia.
Rudy harbored a dream to play for Ara Parseghian and the Fighting Irish football team, despite being just 5' 7" and 165 pounds. Ruettiger earned a place on the Notre Dame scout team, a practice-squad that helps the varsity team practice for games, where he was often injured.
After Parseghian stepped down, Dan Devine was named head coach. In Ruettiger's last opportunity to play for Notre Dame at home, Devine put him into a game for the first time, against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975. It was the final play of Ruettiger's senior season with the Fighting Irish. He recorded a sack and that is all his Notre Dame stat line has ever shown. Ruettiger was carried off the field by his teammates following the game, and remains to date the last Notre Dame player to be accorded that honor (not even Joe Montana received this honor). He graduated from Notre Dame in 1976 with a degree in Sociology.
Ruettiger's story was told in the 1993 film Rudy. The film was written by Angelo Pizzo, directed by David Anspaugh and produced by Rob Fried, the award winning team who created Hoosiers. Actor Sean Astin portrays Rudy in the film, and Ruettiger himself has a cameo.
On October 14, 2005, Rudy was the master of ceremonies at a Pep Rally for Notre Dame Football. The Fighting Irish were about to play USC the following day and Charlie Weis asked some Notre Dame legends, including Tim Brown and Joe Montana, to come back and speak at the rally. Rudy came out of the tunnel at Notre Dame Stadium to a loud ovation. [1]
Rudy is currently married and has two children. Most recently, Ruettiger has begun to market a sports drink, capitalizing on his reputation as a motivational speaker.[2]
[edit] Publications
- Rudy's Insights for Winning in Life
- Rudy's Lessons for Young Champions
- Rudy & Friends
- Dream Power (audio cassette)
[edit] 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
- Distinguished American Award
- Recognition from George W. Bush
- Recognition at the White House
- Recognition from the House of Representatives in the state of Texas
- A Proclamation from the Governor of Nevada granting an Official Rudy Award Day
