Daniel E. “Rudy” Ruettiger, the former University of Notre Dame football walk-on whose story became a feature film, spoke to an online audience about his life story and faith Sunday.
The event, titled, “Why I Believe with Rudy Ruettiger,” was streamed on the “My Road to Hope and Peace” Facebook page and hosted by President James Evanson and his wife, Sister Jody Evanson, who preside over the Utah Orem Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ruettiger became famous when his early life and experience as an undersized walk-on football player at Notre Dame was made into a movie, “Rudy,” in 1993. Since then Ruettiger has made a career as a motivational speaker. He was baptized into the Latter-day Saint faith in 2017.
▶ You may also like: Rudy Ruettiger from classic Hollywood film Rudy baptized a member of the Church
Sporting a USA hat and wearing a Duke University shirt, Ruettiger elaborated on his story, the making of the movie, “Rudy,” quoted Bible verses, and answered questions for about 45 minutes. He encouraged his audience to not be afraid to follow your dream, believe in yourself, avoid the naysayers, and be true to your faith.
“You must always believe in you—that’s the gift the Lord has given you,” he said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, it probably won’t happen because you are going to have doubt your whole life. You got to get rid of doubt and goofy-thinking people. Get rid of all the people who tell you what you can be, and what you can’t be. Go where you want to be, that’s the secret.”
Read more of Ruettiger’s remarks on Deseret News.