Daniel Rudy Ruettiger

Daniel Eugene Ruettiger, born on August 23, 1948, in Joliet, Illinois, was the third of 14 children in a German American family. Diagnosed with dyslexia, Ruettiger did not initially excel academically. After graduating from Joliet Catholic High School, he served two years as a yeoman in the United States Navy and then worked for two years in a power plant. His long-held dream was to play football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Despite being undersized at 5 ft 6 in and 165 lb, and facing initial rejections due to his grades, Ruettiger attended Holy Cross College for two years before gaining acceptance to Notre Dame in the fall of 1974. His journey through Holy Cross also led to the discovery of his dyslexia, providing context for his earlier academic challenges.

At Notre Dame, Ruettiger earned a place on the scout team, a unit that assists the varsity team in practice, demonstrating his commitment. Coach Merv Johnson was particularly supportive in keeping him on the scout team. During his senior year in 1975, under new head coach Dan Devine, Ruettiger achieved his dream of playing in a game against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975. He played three plays, which included a kickoff, an incomplete pass, and famously, a quarterback sack on the game’s final play. Following the game, he was carried off the field by his teammates, a rare honor that had only been bestowed upon one other player in Notre Dame history, Marc Edwards in 1995. This improbable achievement, detailed with an honesty he states is “92% true,” became the basis for the 1993 feature film ‘Rudy,’ starring Sean Astin.

After college, Ruettiger established a successful maintenance company and was involved in real estate. In 1986, he returned to South Bend, Indiana, and decided to share his story, leading to the production of the film ‘Rudy.’ Post-film, Ruettiger transitioned into a career as a motivational speaker and author, sharing lessons on character, courage, contribution, and commitment. His publications include ‘Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life’ and ‘Rudy: My Story.’ In 2011, he faced charges of securities fraud related to Rudy Beverage, Inc., settling the claims for $382,866. He subsequently reflected on this experience in his book, acknowledging that he “shouldn’t have been chasing the money.” He has received several honorary doctoral degrees and has been recognized with ‘Key to the City’ awards for his inspiring message.