Daniel Ruettiger

Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger (b. August 23, 1948 in Joliet, Illinois)

Related Topics:
August 23 - 1948 - Joliet, Illinois

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

is a motivational speaker best known as the inspiration for the motion picture Rudy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ruettiger grew up in a working class household as one of fourteen children. He attended Joliet Catholic High School, where he played for legendary coach Gordie Gillespie. 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.

Related Topics:
Gordie Gillespie - United States Navy - 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.

Related Topics:
University of Notre Dame - Fall - 1974 - Dyslexia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rudy harbored a dream to play for Ara Parseghian and the Fighting Irish football team, despite being just 5'6" 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. In his last opportunity to play for Notre Dame at home, Ruettiger was allowed to play against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975. Ruettiger graduated from Notre Dame in 1976 with a degree in Sociology.

Related Topics:
Ara Parseghian - Georgia Tech - November 8 - 1975 - 1976 - Sociology

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since his graduation in 1976, his story has been told in the 1993 film Rudy. Written by Angelo Pizzo, directed by David Anspaugh and produced by Rob Fried, the award winning team who created Hoosiers, and actor Sean Astin portrays Rudy in the film. The movie was critically acclaimed, and received "Two Thumbs Up" from Siskel and Ebert.

Related Topics:
1993 - Rudy - Angelo Pizzo - David Anspaugh - Hoosiers - Sean Astin - Siskel and Ebert

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since beginning his career as a motivational speaker Rudy has made appearances in People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Readers Digest and on The 700 Club, NFL Films, ABC's Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, Montel Williams Show, Entertainment Tonight, and a cameo in the 1993 film Rudy.

Related Topics:
People Magazine - Sports Illustrated - Readers Digest - The 700 Club - NFL Films - ABC's - Good Morning America - Live with Regis and Kathie Lee - Montel Williams Show - Entertainment Tonight

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rudy is currently married and has two children.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~