Rudy Ruettiger Speaker Biography
Famed Football Player from the University of Notre Dame and Inspiration for the Blockbuster Film Rudy
Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger in twenty seven seconds, carved his name into history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame. The son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Rudy rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacles of success.
Today, he is one of the most popular motivational speakers in the United States. It took years of fierce determination to overcome obstacles and criticisms, yet Rudy achieved his first dream – to attend Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. As fans cheered RU-DY, RU-DY, he sacked the quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only game of his college football career. He is the only player in the school’s history to be carried off the field on his teammates’ shoulders.
Feature Film
In 1993, TRISTAR Productions immortalized his life story with the blockbuster film, RUDY. Written and produced by Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh, the award-winning team who brought us HOOSIERS, the critically acclaimed RUDY received “Two Thumbs Up” from Siskel and Ebert and continues to inspire millions worldwide.
Acclaimed Speaker
Today, a highly sought after motivational speaker, Rudy entertains international corporate audiences with a unique, passionate, and heartfelt style of communicating. He reaches school children, university students, and professional athletes with the same enthusiasm, portraying the human spirit that comes from his personal experiences of adversity and triumph. His captivating personality and powerful message of “YES I CAN” stays with his audiences forever.
Rudy shares the speaking platform with great leaders and speakers including President George Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush, Peter Lowe, Joe Montana, General Colin Powell, Christopher Reeve, and Zig Zigler. Rudy’s opening remarks receive thunderous applause and standing ovations from audiences of 200 to 20,000 people who emotionally chant RU-DY, RU-DY!
Media Appearances
Rudy has appeared in People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, US Magazine, Readers Digest, Inside Sports, The 700 Club, NFL Films, CBS Good morning, ABC Good Morning America, NBC Talk Live, Regis and Kathy Lee, Montel Williams Show, Entertainment Tonight.
Books and Publications
In addition to his motivational speaking, Rudy has co-authored several books, including: Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life, Rudy’s Lessons for Young Champions, and Rudy & Friend, and has produced the DREAM POWER tape series. In his autobiography Rudy: My Story(released in 2012), readers go behind the scenes to experience the heartache, triumph, and glory through Rudy’s own eyes, and learn details of the ten years it took to get the movie made.
Philanthropic Efforts
Ruettiger established the RUDY FOUNDATION, whose mission is to help children of all ages around the world reach their full potential. The Rudy Foundation develops and supports programs that positively impact the lives of children cognitively, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
The Rudy Award Program was created by the Rudy Ruettiger Foundation to recognize children who make an outstanding, exceptional effort to do their personal best everyday, overcome obstacles, set goals, stay on track to reach their Dreams and build the qualities of Character, Courage, Contribution, and Commitment into their lives everyday. The Rudy Award is about a child’s heart, will to change, and desire for self-improvement.
Rudy Ruettiger Speaking Topics
RUDY RUETTIGER - DREAM BIG AND NEVER QUIT
RUDY discusses his 10 insights for winning in life from his book RUDY’S INSIGHTS and combines those thoughts with his story from his most current book RUDY MY STORY. This journey will give audiences a source for positive thoughts and inspiration that they can apply to their own lives both on and off the job. Creating stronger individuals with a positive mind set raises the bar and creates a stronger team in the workplace to accomplish the common goals of the company.
VOICES OF RUDY
Rudy talks about how to tune out the negative voices in our head that stop our progress. He shows us how to replace those thoughts with the positive voices that help to propel us forward and keep us focused to forge ahead. Rudy will show video clips from his own life and how he overcame the struggles on the journey to his Dream.
RUDY RUETTIGER - THE JOURNEY TO THE MOVIE
Rudy tells his story and shares his journey from getting into Notre Dame to Making the movie RUDY! His presentation is choreographed to a video production that brings this true story to life for the audience. He offers a 15 min Q&A immediately following his presentation and closes with a meet and greet for photos and autographs with your top executives and sponsors.
Corporate Program
Rudy will come to your organization and give his motivational presentation. Rudy’s message of overcoming obstacles and staying on track to reach your dreams will inspire your audience and bring them to their feet! Rudy’s presentation includes a video production that touches the spirit and impacts the audience with an overwhelming “Yes I can” attitude.
University Program
Rudy will come to your college or university and give his motivational presentation to the students. His message of overcoming obstacles and staying on track to reach your Dreams will inspire your audience and bring them to their feet! Rudy's presentation includes a video production that touches the spirit and impacts the students with an overwhelming "Yes I Can" attitude. To add a special touch to your event and keep Rudy's message alive in your group, Rudy will be available immediately following the event to meet and greet the audience and offer his books and tapes to your group along with a personalized autograph on any item purchased. You can choose Option 1 or 2. Option 1: The college or university may purchase any of Rudy's product in advance at a discount, and may either use it as a give-a-way or as a fundraiser to sell at retail after the event. Option 2: Rudy will have his product available for sale after the event at no expense to the client. All proceeds from product sales goes to the Rudy Foundation for children.
Corporate Training Program
The Rudy Corporate Training Program was established for organizations who want a follow-up program to Rudy’s Motivational Keynote Presentation. Rudy kicks off the RUDY Corporate Training Program with an inspirational, uplifting, Motivational Key note presentation accompanied by a video production. Then our Rudy Corporate Trainer will show your group how to implement Rudy’s message into their lives everyday, work together as a team, accomplish their goals, overcome obstacles, and get the results needed to take your company to the next level. Rudy International has a team of RUDY Corporate Trainers. Our staff will obtain a detailed company profile on your company in order to recommend the RUDY corporate trainer that would best fit the needs of your group. Then our staff will schedule a conference call between you and your Rudy Corporate Trainer to outline your custom made corporate training program. This program will give your team something to look forward to everyday and a reason to make things happen!
Rudy Ruettiger Videos
Rudy Ruettiger Speaker Testimonials
"Wow! This is what our members are still saying three weeks after your appearance. Your presentation at the North Carolina Auto Dealers Annual Convention last month in Asheville, North Carolina was truly inspirational. Thank you for your part in making our convention such a great success."
- Robert J. Glaser | Executive Vice President North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association
"I want to express my appreciation for the incredible presentation you gave to the Business Development department at the United Parcel Service. The likelihood of a repeat performance to other areas of our company has greatly increased because of the positive outcome. The investment in our people was well worth the monetary cost to UPS. It was great to hear the comments from our management team about how positively you affected their feelings about doing their personal best in their job as well as in their daily life."
- Carla Atencio | United Parcel Service
"Just a note to let you know how pleased I am with your presentation to our group in Hawaii. You exceeded all of my expectations and based on the comments I have heard from our group you exceeded theirs as well. Our people really enjoyed your message and appreciated the opportunity to meet you after the presentation."
- Terry Carstens | Physicians Mutual Insurance Company
"Thank you for speaking at our Region One Annual Lenders Meeting. Many, many of our lenders and other guests have been calling me or writing notes to let us know how much they enjoyed your presentation. Some stated how they have already put some of your ideas to work in their lives. We will also be placing a rather large order for additional books. The requests are still flowing in."
- Daniel J. Mekemson | First VP,Firstar Home Mortgage Corporation
