Determination and Overcoming Life's Challenges is the Theme to Rudy. Rudy had a dream and would not be denied no matter how much flack he received from family and friends. Rudy realized the importance of academics and put in the midnight oil to ensure he produced the grades needed to make his dream a reality. Rudy played by the rules and put in his dues long enough for life to eventually reward him. Many coaches refer to theses traits like detmination as character. Character will produce positive results on the field, in the classroom, in the business market, and everyday life.
Coach Lou Holtz's even though he receives much criticism about his commentating abilities stressed character in his autobiography which I recommend to all college football fans for a weekend read. Character will deliver you in the dark hours and usually only is gained through many bumps, bruises and stiches. My old Coach stressed it a great deal also and would bring it out on my occasions when you did not want to hear it. I got my lip absolutely busted wide open on a punt one time and was really seeing stars. God I wanted to come out of the game to be attended to but Coach threw my ass back in the game while screaming "It builds Character." 20+ years later in reflection, I should have really come out of the game with blood all over my jersey and had my lip stiched up, but just as life has dealt me as well as everyone hards blows over the years I can see what he was refering too. Rudy showed his character by shaking off the big hit and getting back in the huddle looking foward to the next play. Those big hits in life come at us everyday. It is how we get back in the huddle to prepare for the next play that defines a man's inner worth and character.
I think I remember Joe Montanta on the Dan Patrick Show one day say something to the effect that he Montanta was either there when Rudy was there at Notre Dame or through Montana's Alumni Connections found out that the scene where all the players turned in their jerseys to Coach Devine in protest of Rudy's non playing time never occured. It was thrown in for dramatic effect. Really not sure what to believe.
