Media Coverage
Football flash Rudy still drawing them inPint-sized player with more heart than ability continues to inspire as motivational speakerMikeBeamish, Vancouver Sun Published: Monday, March 2, 2009 His 15 minutes of fame actually lasted just 27 seconds. Never mind. It’s what Hollywood did with his half-minute at Notre Dame Stadium and its backstory that destined Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger for celluloid immortality. Actor Sean Astin, who went on to greater fame playing a hobbit, stood in for the stumpy Ruettiger in the 1993 film Rudy. It’s the now-familiar tale of a “five-foot nothing . . . with hardly a spec of athletic ability” overachiever who wanted to play college football for the Fighting Irish so badly that no amount of cynicism could stop him. And he finally did — for two plays, at the end of his first and only game. For the working-class young man who seemed destined for the glow of the steel mill rather than the bright lights, the cinematic legacy of Rudy has led to an enduring career as a motivational speaker. “How many speeches have I given in the past 14 years?” Ruettiger, now 60, says over the phone from Las Vegas. “Oh, my God — I can’t put a number to it. Millions have seen the movie. Thousands have heard me speak. When you say the name ‘Rudy’, the acknowledgement is universal and world-wide.” Next Saturday, another 800 guests will pay $200 apiece for a seat at the Orange Helmet Awards dinner at the Westin Bayshore to eat up Ruettiger’s words — how the underdog from a family of 14 children in Joliet, Ill., overcame attitudinal, academic and athletic challenges to play for the Fighting Irish. Granted, he suited up for a single game and made one memorable play in his two seasons with the varsity. But, as the film’s postscript says, no other player at South Bend was been carted from the field by his teammates since Notre Dame’s final home game of the 1975 season. The original Rocky film, which debuted a year later, the same year Rudy graduated from Notre Dame, was the inspiration for his biopic, Ruettiger says. He convinced screenwriter Angelo Pizzo, an Indiana native who penned the script for Hoosiers (about an upset-minded, small-town basketball team that wins the state high school championship), to bring his inspirational story to a wider audience. “The kids who saw the movie when they were 15 are now part of corporate America,” Ruettiger says. “The people who were in college are now teachers and educators and they’ll show the film in their classes. Canada is very familiar with Rudy. The Catholic school system shows Rudy in their health classes. There’s a new generation of Rudy fans out there.” Two years after the movie came out, Ruettiger moved to Henderson, Nev., a Las Vegas suburb, for the weather and the conventions. Ruettiger earns his bread and butter as an after-dinner speaker at corporate retreats and gatherings of church, sports and non-profit groups. He supplements his speaking income with the sale of autographed memorabilia — footballs, jerseys, hats, mini-helmets, books, photos, posters, movie soundtracks and DVDs — all of which can be ordered from the Rudy store on the rudyinternational.com website. “I think his message is fitting for an amateur football gathering and the dreams that kids aspire to,” says Jamie Taras, director of community relations for the B.C. Lions and chairman of the Orange Helmet Awards dinner. The event, which is sponsored by the CFL team, sent net proceeds of $75,000 to amateur football in the province last year, when ESPN’s Chris Berman was the guest speaker. Because of Berman’s personal relationship with late Lions president Bob Ackles, however, the Lions were able to snag the bombastic broadcaster at a discount. Normally, Berman’s speaking fee is in the range of $50,000 US. That puts Berman in the same league with former NFL coach turned commentator Mike Ditka, who was the draw at 16th annual Jewish Community Centre Sports Dinner at the Hyatt Regency on Feb. 9. According to the Washington Speakers Bureau, which coordinates his appearances, Ditka commands a fee between $30,000-$50,000. “We needed a big draw in a recession year,” says JCC spokesperson Stephanie Simpson. “We felt that Mike Ditka was one of the reasons we got the numbers that we did.” As it was, the JCC dinner was about 50 short of selling out its 800 seats for the $285 a plate dinner. With a week to go, the Lions also have about 50 unsold seats for their affair. From personal experience, Rudy can confirm that it’s tougher to draw a crowd these days because of the recession’s impact. “Yes, I’m affected, too,” he says. “Everyone is so cautious. Companies are cutting back on the nice stuff. And it’s not good. My business has been cut in half.” Ruettiger won’t disclose what he’s getting for next Saturday’s appearance and maintains that it’s not important. “People have to be paid for their time and energy and their time away from their families,” he says. “And there is value in a story. People realize that. How many times do you get the real story, from the real person on a real journey? I guess, when people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I deliver hope. If you have courage and character, you will thrive in this world.” Martin Perelmuter, president of Speakers’ Spotlight, a Canadian speakers bureau, says that business in Canada hasn’t been affected to the same degree as in the States. Typically, professional speakers get from $5,000-$15,000 per appearance in Canada. “American fees are higher to begin with,” Perelmuter says, “and the business climate is lot more severe in the U.S. than it is here.” Michael (Pinball) Clemons, Terry Evanshen, Damon Allen, Marc Trestman, Paul Henderson, Ken Dryden, Kelly Hrudey, Brian Burke, Hayley Wickenhesier and broadcasters Brian Williams, Ron McLean and Rod Black are among the lineup of sports personalities available for hire through the Toronto-based Speakers’ Spotlight. (Burke routinely donates his fee to charity). “Jerry Seinfeld said that being Jerry Seinfeld buys two minutes at the beginning of a routine,” Perelmuter says. “After that he has to be funny. It’s one thing to be a sports hero, but you have to deliver a good presentation. Do they get a bigger applause at the beginning or at the end? No matter who it is, if you don’t engage with the audience, they will tune you out.” Diners at the 2006 Orange Helmet Awards dinner certainly found that wasn’t the case with Clemons. Pinball was just as electrifying behind the mike as he was as a Toronto Argonauts running back. The CFL legend and Argonaut CEO said he waived his normal corporate speaking fee of $10,000 to help out a fellow team. Though under-sized himself, the 5-5 Clemons had infinitely more athletic ability than 5-7, 165-pound Ruettiger, whose fierce odds against playing college football were summed up in a clip from the movie. “What a spaz!” says a teammate. Still, Clemons knows something about dedication and he sees it in Rudy. “I saw him speak at a dinner in Hamilton [Ont.],” Clemons says. “It’s a true story of passion and perseverance. He’s a guy that everybody counted out, but he wouldn’t be denied. Rudy’s is a story that stands apart.” The Lawyer’s Weekly - June 17, 2009 The Toronto Star - March 16, 2009 Vancouver Sun - March 2, 2009 Financial Post - February 21, 2009 MeetingsCanada.com - December 11, 2008 Press Release - November 27 2008 MeetingsCanada.com - November 27, 2008 Press Release - November 2008 MSN Small Business - October 2008 Millionairemom.com - October 2008 Canadian Event Perspective - August 2, 2008 Women's Post - July 11, 2008 Bizbash.com - June 12, 2008 Workopolis.com - April 28, 2008 CareerJoy.com - April 28, 2008 Montreal Gazette - April 07, 2008 Alberta Venture - March, 2008 AOL Canada - February 13, 2008 National Post - December, 2007 Woman's Post - December, 2007 Midtown Town Crier - November, 2007 National Post - September 29, 2007 Emprendedores Contemporary Business Communication Speaking Of Impact - Summer, 2007 Progressive Choices - Winter/Spring, 2007 National Post - January 15, 2007 globeandmail.com - May 30, 2006 Esteem Magazine - Spring 2006 The Globe and Mail - Sept. 29, 2004 WOMEN CAN DO ANYTHING (July 2004) INNOVATIVE PROGRESS (May 2004) SPEAKING OF IMPACT (Spring 2004) In Conference PROFITguide.com (October/November 2003) THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS (Nov 13, 2002) MPI Newsbytes (Volume 9, Issue 27 02 July 2002) Profit Magazine (June, 2002) Profit Magazine (June, 2002) The Globe and Mail: In Conference Magazine (Spring, 2002) The National Post (Monday March 19, 2001) Canadian Jewish News (August 3rd, 2000) The Calgary Herald (April 22, 2000) The Generator (November, 1999) Royal Bank - Today's Entrepreneur (First Aired: March 29,
1999)
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