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"I was a lower-middle class kid who suffered through school with undiagnosed dyslexia, who was hard-headed enough to find a side door into the University of Notre Dame to earn my degree and to dress and play for the last twenty-seven seconds of a football game my senior year"(Ruettiger). Rudy Ruettiger was born on August 23, 1948 in Joliet, Illinois. He had fourteen siblings and joined the US Naval forces right after high school. Soon after his departure from the Navy, he got a job at a local power plant. During a tragic accident that led to his best friend's death, Ruettiger decided that he would finally chase his dream of playing football for Notre Dame. Due to the bad grades that he had received in high school, Ruettiger was not accepted to Notre Dame, and instead attended a junior college where he worked hard to receive the mandatory credits to re-apply to Notre Dame. Rudy was rejected three times by Notre Dame before getting accepted. After being accepted, he tried out for the football team, where he would make it as a practice player. Rudy practiced as hard as he could with the hopes of one day playing a real game in the Notre Dame football stadium. Finally, after almost three years of working his heart out, Ruettiger got to play the last 45 seconds of his senior year in the fourth quarter. In that 45 seconds Rudy sacked the quarterback and the whole crowd erupted, cheering RUU-DY! RUU-DY! His teammates rushed on to the field and carried him off. Since that game no other Notre Dame player has ever been carried off the field. Now Rudy is a motivational speaker and an author of a book. Every inspirational hero needs to have an obstacle that is seen as impossible by others and a purpose to push them through their difficult journey . Rudy Ruettiger is not just a small time football player from the University of Notre Dame but he is also hard-working and perseveres despite the doubts of his peers.
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Rudy Ruettiger is a hard working person because he was determined to reach his goal; By trying his hardest in school and on the field. Rudy's small body was not favored by the coaches, "Even though Ruettiger had a small frame and little athletic ability, his determination to be part of the football team at Notre Dame convinced coaches to give him a spot on the practice team" ("Rudy Ruettiger"). Rudy's small body caused him to work harder than others, because the coach was more focused on the bigger people. Rudy continued to practice on the practice team even though he might not make it onto the real team, because his commitment to his dream he continued to work hard. But somehow Rudy caught the attention of the coach through his commitment of hard work in practice to be a part of the team. "Rudy walked on the team under the coaching staff of Ara Parseghian in 1974. He played his guts out and treated every practice like it was a real game. Rudy never quit and won the respect of his teammates. It was this enthusiasm that eventually got Rudy in the game to live his second dream."(Rudy International). Rudy is a great example of a hard worker, because he gave it his all every practice, he showed his coaches that he deserves to play in a real game. By doing this, he gained the respect of his teammates, who helped and supported him to achieve his dream, all because he gave it his all. Rudy want to reach his goal so he worked extra hard on the field and in school. Also he never gave up he was determined even when others told him to give up.
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Rudy Ruettiger had many challenges he had to persevere through in order to reach his dream of playing football for the University of Notre Dame. From not have the correct grades for school, to even being denied to go to his dream school. Rudy was not the best student, which made it harder to get into The University of Notre Dame. "Ruettiger applied to Notre Dame, but his high school grades kept him from entering the university as a student. Not giving up on his dream, Ruettiger enrolled in classes at Holy Cross College for two years... and he soon had grades that earned him acceptance at Notre Dame University,"("Rudy Ruettiger"). Rudy showed perseverance when he kept getting rejected by the school, but he still never said he could not get in and fulfill his dream. Despite the many trials he continued to face, Rudy did not quit. Eventually he got into the school and pursued his dream of playing football for Notre Dame. Rudy was denied three times before getting into the college. Instead of just doing the same thing he did in high school, he got help with his studies. When Rudy was diagnosed with dyslexia, it was another trial that he had to go through. "Holy Cross is located across the street from Notre Dame so it was easy for Rudy to stay involved with Notre Dame and spend a lot of time on campus. Rudy had to work very hard at Holy Cross for those two years. It was during his time at Holy Cross that Rudy was diagnosed with Dyslexia. In order to maintain a B average he really had to learn how to study. With the help of his teachers and tutors he was able to really focus on his grades and get the job done. After 3 rejections from Notre Dame, his dream to attend this prestigious University had finally come true," (Rudy International). This is a great example of perseverance because Rudy had a hard time in school due to his dyslexia, which could have held him back from reaching his dream. His willingness to press on is shown through his three rejections and the fact that he continued to try. Additionally, because of his mental disability he was able to realize that he need to get extra help from teachers and peers with his studies. When Rudy was faced with these trials in school, he had to persevere through them in order to reach his goal.
Rudy was not the best football player so he persevered through his school trials and worked his tail off, for school and for his football team.An example of perseverance, is when Rudy was diagnosed with dyslexia, which caused him to work harder to reach his dream and to get good grades. Rudy was a hard worker, he worked his hardest every day like it was his last. Also he wanted to be able to play in a real football game, so he had to work extra hard to prove to his coach that he deserves it. "Devine put Ruettiger on the field for two plays. The first play was uneventful and did not go in the book for Ruettiger. However, on the last play of the game, Ruettiger recorded a sack, and the audience erupted in excited cheers and applause. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders and carried him off the field at the close of the game," ("Rudy Ruettiger"). How hard would that be to give it your all, 110% every day but still only play for 2 plays in one game? But then, how awesome would it be that the impact you had on your teammates, caused them to feel proud of you for accomplishing your goal that they carried you off the field. While hearing the crowd of thousands of people chanting your name? What an amazing experience that most have been. This is very inspirational to me, because like him I to have a learning disability, and I have to work extra hard in order to do good in school. This shows me that I can do things that others think I can't. Because Rudy Ruettiger was able to break through trials in his life, with perseverance and hard work he was able to show others that a regular kid like me can accomplish anything if they give it their all.
Works Cited
"Rudy Ruettiger." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Biography in Context. Web.
29 Apr. 2016.
Ruettiger, Rudy, and Mark Dagostino. Rudy: My Story. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012. Print.
"Rudy International." Rudy International. Copyright © 2016 Rudy International. All Rights
Reserved. Designed and Powered by MISSION, n.d. Web. 02 May 2016.
http://www.rudyinternational.com.
"Rudy International." Rudy International. Mission Media, n.d. Web. 02 May 2016.
http://www.rudyintl.com/truestory1.com.
Scofield, Dan. "Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, Notre Dame's Famous Walk-On: The True Story."
Bleacher Report. Copyright © 2015 Bleacher Report, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016.
Page created on 7/19/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 7/19/2016 12:00:00 AM
