Rudy Ruettiger Biography

Daniel Eugene Rudy Ruettiger was born on August 23, 1948, and is an American motivational speaker and author who played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His early life and journey at Notre Dame inspired the 1993 film Rudy, which depicted his determination to achieve his dream. Ruettiger stood 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 165 pounds, a size that made his goal of playing for Notre Dame seem unlikely. After persistent effort, he earned a position on the Notre Dame scout team, which prepares the varsity squad for game competition. Coach Merv Johnson played a key role in ensuring Ruettiger remained on the scout team throughout his collegiate career. On November 8, 1975, Ruettiger entered a game as a defensive end against Georgia Tech during his final home appearance for Notre Dame. The 1993 film Rudy portrayed his story, with actor Sean Astin portraying him in the title role.