Rudy Ruettiger

Rudy Ruettiger is a football legend known for his underdog story showcased in the hit classic RUDY. Since his days at Notre Dame, Rudy has become an Emmy Award winner, inductee into the Speakers Hall of Fame, and honoree of numerous other awards. He is well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Rudy Ruettiger is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Rudy Ruettiger’s fees. 

Want to book Rudy Ruettiger for an event?

Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-995-0905 to book Rudy Ruettiger for a keynote speech, corporate event, leadership program, workshop, fireside chat, virtual appearance, or other private or professional event.

Our team will help confirm Rudy Ruettiger’s availability, speaking fee, travel requirements, and fit for your audience. To start the booking process, please share your event date, location, audience size, event format, and the type of presentation you are looking for.

The Mollie Plotkin Group is a full-service keynote speaker agency and entertainment bureau that helps organizations secure keynote speakers, entertainers, athletes, celebrities, and thought leaders for corporate meetings, conferences, fundraisers, and special events.

A True Underdog

Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger carved his name into history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the nation’s best example of a true underdog success story. The son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Rudy rose from the valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacle of success. Today, Rudy is one of the most popular motivational speakers in the United States.

But before all of that, Rudy served in the United States Navy for two years after graduating from high school. He then worked in a power plant for another two years before finally applying to Notre Dame.

Who rejected him due to his low high school grades.

Instead, he enrolled and attended Holy Cross College. During his time studying at Holy Cross, Rudy discovered a reason for his difficulties in school – he had dyslexia. After two years, in the fall of 1974, Notre Dame accepted his application to be a student on his fourth try.

Regardless of the winding path, Rudy was one step closer to his dream of playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. Despite being undersized at 5 ft 6 in and 165 lb, he walked onto Notre Dame’s football team and earned a place on the Notre Dame scout team, a squad that helps the varsity team practice for games.

RU-DY, RU-DY!

In Rudy’s last opportunity to play for Notre Dame at home, head coach Dan Devine put him into a game as a defensive end against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975. While in the movie RUDY Devine is given a somewhat antagonistic role, he was the one who came up with the idea to put Rudy in the game.

As fans cheered his name, 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. Following the game, Rudy was carried off the field by his teammates becoming the first player of only two players in Notre Dame history to be honored in this way. In 1993, his story was immortalized in the blockbuster film, RUDY.

Keynote Speaking

Today, as an Emmy award-winning and highly sought-after motivational speaker, Rudy entertains audiences with a unique, passionate, and heartfelt style of communicating. He speaks to corporations, universities, sports teams, and many other organizations, with the same unbreakable enthusiasm he brought to football. His captivating personality and powerful messaging stays with his audiences forever.

Media

In addition to his motivational speaking, Rudy has appeared on numerous nationally televised talk shows & radio shows across the country and co-authored several books, including Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life, Rudy’s Lessons for Young Champions, Rudy & Friends, The Rudy in You, Rudy: My Story, and Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On.

Recently, Rudy performed his one-man show, Dream Big Rudy Ruettiger Live on Broadway at the Samuel Friedman Theatre in New York. In addition, Rudy’s new documentary titled, Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On won several Emmy Awards for Best Director and Best Documentary.

Rudy’s Honors:

• United States Navy Vietnam Veteran – SN Yeoman
• Inductee – Speakers Hall of Fame
• Spoke at the White House under two Presidents: George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
• Emmy Awards for Best Documentary and Best Director for Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On
• Telly Awards in categories of MOtivation and Documentary for Dream Big: Rudy Ruettiger Live on Broadway
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mercy College, Holy Cross College, and Long Island University
• Honorary Assistant Attorney General – State of Louisiana
• Distinguished American Award – National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
• Official Proclamation from the Governor – “Rudy Award Day” – State of Nevada
• Official Nationwide D.A.R.E. Recognition Honor

To hire Rudy Ruettiger for an event, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with the proposed event date, location, audience size, event format and program goals. Rudy Ruettiger is available for corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, private events, workshops, fireside chats and virtual programs.

After receiving your request, a Mollie Plotkin Group booking agent will review Rudy Ruettiger’s availability, discuss the event details and get back to you within 48 hours with next steps for securing Rudy Ruettiger for your program.

The cost to book Rudy Ruettiger depends on the event date, location, format, audience size and scope of the appearance. Rudy Ruettiger’s speaking fee starts at $22,500. Speaking fees may vary for keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events, corporate meetings and virtual programs.

For the most accurate Rudy Ruettiger booking fee, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with your event details. Our team will help confirm availability, pricing and the best format for your event.

Millions have been inspired by the movie RUDY, now let the man behind the movie inspire YOU!

Rudy’s presentation is choreographed to a video production that brings the audience to their feet every time!

His life story and experience are full of valuable information that teach audiences how to build valuable relationships within an organization, overcome challenges, find their strengths, learn from their setbacks, and create positive forward momentum.

Rudy will focus his message on the needs of your group and the mission of your team. If you would like to discuss tailoring Rudy’s speech to your audience, schedule a Zoom call with Rudy and the MPG team. Rudy is also available for Q&As, meet & greets, memorabilia & autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and special guest appearances following his presentation.

Dream Big, Never Quit

Rudy explores the idea of having a dream, building that dream, remaining steady on the course, overcoming obstacles, and staying inspired along the way.

Where You Start In Life Does Not Determine Where You End Up

In this keynote, Rudy talks about designing your own future – how to focus your thoughts and the importance of building relationships.

Rudy: My Story

Rudy entertains the audience with video highlights of his life story as portrayed in the nationally-acclaimed feature film RUDY, and shares the insights he learned along the way.