Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger, born in August 1948, lived in Joliet, Illinois with his 13 brothers and sisters. In his junior and senior years at Joliet Catholic High School he led the team in tackles. After high school he did not go directly to college, he worked at a power plant for four years, then served in the Navy for two years, went back to the plant for two more years. But when his best friend got killed in an accident at the plant, he decided to go to college and try to play football for Notre Dame, which was his dream.

When “Rudy” first went to college it wasn’t to Notre Dame, his college started at Holy Cross Junior College, where he was a student for two years. In the fall of 1974 Notre Dame finally let him attend. “Rudy’s” dream was to play for head coach Ara Parseghian, but in 1975 Parseghian stepped down and Dan Devine was named head coach for Notre Dame. After playing on the scout team for two years, he finally made it onto the Fighting Irish team, in his senior year, and the last home game of the season, he played for two plays and recorded one sack, that was all the stats that were recorded on him. After that one game his teammates carried him off the field and he got to realize his dream.

In 1976 “Rudy” graduated from Notre Dame with a bachelors degree in sociology. Now, he is married with two children, and is a motivational speaker. His speeches include topics like motivation, inspiration, and overcoming adversity, he makes about $17,500 a speech. He has co-authored many inspirational books, and has received many awards, including recognition from the President, George W. Bush. His movie came out in 1993 and is considered a classic.