Daniel (rudy) Ruettiger

Rudy being carried off the field (www.sacredheart.edu)

To me, a hero is someone who would give it all up to reach a goal or for what they believe in. Daniel [Rudy] Ruettiger was a courageous person who only played for twenty seven seconds in Notre Dame football, but is probably the most famous of all the players who played for Notre Dame. Rudy was told by many that he had heart in football. This means he never gave up. Even though he was rejected from Notre Dame many times, he never gave up. He has changed people's lives all over the world.

Rudy was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was the third of fourteen children. From a young age Rudy was set on becoming a Notre Dame football player. Since his whole family were all Notre Dame football fans it was easy for him to love the team. Throughout high school he played football. Rudy was only 5'7" and played as a defensive lineman. After graduating high school, Rudy wanted to go to Notre dame but his grades were too low, so he joined the United States navy. After this he worked in a power plant. While he worked there his best friend Pete died in an accident at the power plant. Directly following Peter's funeral, Rudy appealed to the pastor of Notre Dame chapel to try and get into Notre Dame.

Rudy made a deal with the pastor that if he did well enough he would be let into Notre Dame. In the meantime Rudy would attend Holy Cross junior college. Rudy worked very hard through junior college. After being rejected three times from Notre Dame, he was finally accepted. Rudy tried out for the football team and made the scout team. The scout team helps the starters practice for a game, so they rarely see playing time. Rudy was on the team for three years but never got to play. Many of the other players thought it was unfair. At one point Rudy quit because he was so angry that he never got to play. After only one day Rudy rejoined and kept trying.

In Rudy's senior year he still had not got a chance to play in a game. Before the last game the coach, pushed by the rest of the team, let Rudy dress for the game. In the game, Notre Dame was way ahead in the fourth quarter with one minute to play when the crowd started chanting RU-DY. With less than thirty seconds left to play the coach put Rudy in. With four seconds remaining Rudy busted through the line of scrimmage and sacked the quarterback. After the play Rudy was carried off the field by his teammates. He remains the last Notre Dame football player to be accorded this honor. In 1993 a movie was made about Rudy's life and was a great hit.

Rudy is an inspiration to millions. His life has taught people that if you try hard enough you can accomplish anything. Rudy is not only my hero but a hero to millions all over the world. If it were not for him, millions of people all over the country or the world would not be where they are today.