Original subtitles

All right, guys, line up.

Rudy, take that stupid helmet off. You're not even playing.

Besides, me and Pete, we 're Notre Dame.

You guys, you're Michigan. Okay, huddle up. Come on.

I got Frank. Todd, you call same play. [71 hand it off to you.

-You're going to the right. -Okay, I got it.

-One, two, three, break. -Break.

Come on, Rudy, get on the ball.

Ready, 42 blow.

-Set, hut. -One, 1000, two, 1000.

Look out.

-Oh, no. -Rudy, I told you to cut inside.

-Do it right. -Come on, Todd.

-Try it again. Let's go. Huddle up. -All right, Todd, same thing, okay?

-Break. -Break.

-Ready? -Let's go. Get on the ball.

I'm sick of being all-time center.

-You're sick of what? -I'm sick of all-time center.

Rudy, I told you five times, you can't play--

You can't play anything else but all-time center. You're too small.

-I can too. -You guys, I'm going.

-I'm sorry. I gotta go to work. -But, Todd, we need you.

-Come on, Todd. -Just let Rudy play in my place.

That's a good idea, Frank. Come on, why don't you let Rudy play?

Okay, you can rush the passer.

-All right, Rudy. -Through there, just--

-All right, come on, we gotta get them. -Break.

-Okay. -Okay, let's go.

-Ready, set, hut. -Get him, Rudy.

Get him.

Bonvechio to Snow, for the touchdown.

-Yeah! All right! -Irish win again.

-What a spaz. -All right, Brad.

We did it. All right. We won. Yes!

-Oh, yeah! -Yeah!

-Come on, we're gonna be late. -Let's go, let's go.

Yeah, go for it, Johnny. Go for it.

-Good catch. -All right.

Get him.

Wait. Wait up.

Run for it, Johnny.

-Yeah, it's pretty big. -Excuse me.

-There you go. -All right.

-Thanks. -Pete, you got your own home?

-Yes, last time I looked. -You're welcome here anytime.

Excuse me, young lady, who are you?

Sherry Walinski.

-Bob's kid? -Rudy's girlfriend, Pop.

-She is not. -Yes, I am.

Everybody around here has a job at the mill.

But I don't wanna work there.

Where else you gonna find a job for over 5 bucks an hour?

You got union protection.

You got relatives watching your front side and your backside.

Where you gonna find such a thing? Tell me, and God be with you.

-But, Dad, Pat's going there. -What are you--?

-You gonna give me indigestion here? -Daniel, leave the boy alone.

Yeah, but this boy can go off on his own. You heard him.

That's enough.

Now, has anybody else got anything to say to me before I start this meal?

After high school, I'm gonna play football at Notre Dame.

You're gonna play football at Notre Dame?

-Yeah. -And I'm gonna buy a mansion

on Lake Shore Drive.

Rudy.

Sherry, honey, can I get you anything?

What are we watching? Channel 7.

Are you sure you don't want something to drink?

-Oh, no, that's okay, thanks. -Yeah.

They'll meet their traditional rivals, the Trojans, from the University of...

-Mr. Ruettiger, sir? -Yeah, Pete.

At halftime, could we watch some of the Indiana-Purdue game?

There's only one team we watch in this house.

-Right? -Right.

"Everybody with their hands and elbows, they won't be sideswiped.

I want the ends in there fast, every play.

Every play we're under control.

Any men in the backfield there I want you to analyze before you move.

If they throw a forward pass, wait till you see the ball in the air,

and then go and get it.

And when we get it, boys, that's when we go on offense.

That's when we go to them. We're going inside them.

We're going outside them. Inside and outside them.

We get them on the run, we're gonna keep them on the run.

We're not gonna pass unless our secondary comes up too close.

But don't forget, we're gonna get them on the run. We're gonna go, go, go.

We're not gonna stop until we're over that goal line.

And don't forget, men, today's the day we're gonna win.

They can't lick us in the fight, and whose men are gonna go in and fight!

What do you say, men?" "Yeah."

Let's go. Ruettiger. Hey, Rudy.

You keep at halfback. Move that secondary back.

-We gotta get ready for those combos. -Come on, offense.

Black, 80.

Set, hut.

-Bring it on down, guys. Come on. -All right, let's go, guys. Let's go.

Come on, Pete. Come on, buddy. I didn't hurt you, did I?

Okay, that's one new friend.

-Take a knee, guys. -Let's go, let's go, listen up.

Listen up. For you seniors, this is your last practice.

And with the exception of Thomas, Lee, Bo, Sypitch--

You get on the weights. --tomorrow night will be the last time

the rest of you ever put on a football uniform.

You know, these last four years have gone by too fast.

They always do.

And I gotta tell you guys

that I really appreciate the hard work and effort

that you've given to me, to the coaches

and to the Hilltoppers.

As a reward, I'm gonna give each one of you seniors

one final hit on me and my friend down there.

All right. Seniors, stay here.

Underclassmen, two lines, five yards apart. Let's go.

-Come on. -Let's go, guys.

Come on, now, big hit.

You're first, McConnell.

Give me your best shot. Remember, it's gonna be your last.

Let's go.

Good shot. Shower.

Constantino. Come on, David.

Ru ettiger.

Get going. Go, go, go, Rudy, go.

Okay, Rudy. Okay.

Hey, Rudy, we're gonna miss you.

You're next, Cunnington. Come on, Pete.

Lee.

I can't believe it's over.

Sypitch.

Wagner.

The bicameral legislature originated not in the United States, but where?

Rudy, Rudy.

Mr. Ruettiger, would you be interested in joining us?

-The House and the Senate-- -Don't even try.

If I were giving out grades for daydreaming,

you'd be getting an A. But in civics, you're failing.

You see, ladies and gentlemen,

the problem with dreamers is they usually are not doers.

Their achievements are grand up here,

but here, where it counts, they fall short.

Now, the bicameral legislature originated-- Hold up.

I have an announcement. "If you are a student

interested in making the University of Notre Dame your college choice,

a bus will be leaving here at 10 a.m., Saturday, December 15th

for a one-day guided tour of the campus.

Please sign up by Wednesday, November 5th."

Walker,

Drummond,

Matuschak. Okay.

Boston. Good.

And Raciniak. Good.

Whoa, whoa, wait. Where are you going?

I'm going to see Notre Dame.

Do you have some friends in South Bend?

No.

Well, then there must be some other reason.

When you read the announcement, I thought you said anybody could go.

I'm sorry, Rudy. This bus is for students

who are interested in attending the university. It's not a sightseeing tour.

Well, maybe someday I could go to school there.

Father Joseph, would you take over for me?

-Of course. -Thank you.

Rudy, you don't have the grades for Joliet Community,

much less Notre Dame.

The secret to happiness in this life

is to be grateful for the gifts the good Lord has bestowed upon us.

Rudy, not everyone is meant to go to college.

Whittaker. Snider.

-Merry Christmas. -Put your hands up.

-Daniel. -We got these for Mom.

Seems like your family grows in size from Sunday to Sunday.

Betty and I are finished having kids, we think.

But, you know, with the girlfriends, wives...

Melinda here, Frank's wife, Father,

is new with us.

How do you do, Father? Pleasure to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

The more Ruettigers, the better for St. Anthony's.

You've always been generous.

Any of my boys give less than 10 percent of their salary, I wanna know that.

Rudy's next. He's starting in the mill next summer.

Oh, really? Congratulations.

-Thanks, Father. Good to see you. -Good to see you.

Good kid.

Hey, hey, Frank.

There's Tommy Pendle over there. See him?

—80? —Hey, go Irish.

80? He's a second-string defensive back for Notre Dame. That's so.

Well, I mean, I don't get it.

What's the big deal about Notre Dame football anyway?

In the old country, my father used to talk about the greatness of America.

And he would say,

an immigrant family with nothing,

they can come here and have a good life.

And poor Irish, and Italian, and Polish boys could go

and play football at this great university in the middle of the country.

Our Lady of the Lord, Notre Dame.

Thank you.

And how they would beat the rich boys from the big schools back east.

Yale, Army...

So when we did finally come here during the Depression,

Catholic immigrant groups faced a lot of hate.

So every victory by Notre Dame, eh?

That's a victory for us.

Yes, but it's not the Depression anymore.

And poor Catholic boys can't even afford to go to Notre Dame now.

In here, it's the same.

That's enough talking. Let's eat something.

Here's your napkin.

Say a prayer there, Pop?

Hey, Dad, wait up. What about this order for three-inch?

We're gonna have to change the rollers on number 13, stat.

-Thirteen? -Yeah.

All right, we'll have the crane ready for you, okay?

Hey, Rudy? Rudy!

You were late again today.

You were late. Get serious.

No special days here.

—What is today? —Friday.

No, no, I mean the date.

August 23rd.

And that is?

My birthday.

Twenty-two big ones.

Oh, Pete, it's starting to go by too fast.

Well, I know I didn't have time to wrap it, but, you know.

-Go ahead, open it. No, I know. -You shouldn't have, Pete.

This is fantastic.

-Yeah. -Pete, where did you find this?

I was in Gary and I saw it in this surplus store,

and I said that's gotta be yours.

This is unbelievable.

Pete, I don't know how I'm ever gonna thank you.

How does it look?

You were born to wear that jacket.

Do you know that Ara is the only head coach in Notre Dame history

that encourages walk-on players?

You probably know more about that team than half the players.

I can't wait to get there.

Guess how much money I have saved up.

What, 20. Thir-- Eighty. Fifty.

A thousand dollars.

Well, that's a good start.

You're the only one who ever took me serious, Pete.

You know what my dad always said:

"Having dreams is what makes life tolerable."

-2205. -2209.

That's 2209. That's the house, Rudy.

Isn't it cute?

We can afford this.

Know what else it has? It's got wall-to-wall carpeting.

It has a fireplace.

And a big kitchen.

It's close to the schools.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

It's great, Sherry. It's great. You did a great job.

Look, buddy. I've put in my time.

I've been very patient waiting for us to get this money together

so we could get married and do this right.

You owe me.

Come on.

I think you're gonna like it.

-Hey, Joe, what do you know? -Not much.

Mary Ann, could I get another beer down here?

Sure, coming right up.

Hey, Pete, what are you doing tomorrow night?

A little TV.

Coach Parseghian is speaking at the Chicago Gridiron Club.

-You wanna go? -Sure.

If Rhonda will let me stay out that late.

Tell her the D train gets back no later than 10:30.

-Oh, sure, of course. -Ara Parseghian?

You just can't give it up.

He's the greatest coach in the country, Frank.

Are you gonna get his autographed picture and kiss it every night?

What is your problem?

Or maybe he'll give you permission to wipe his ass.

-Hey, why don't you leave him alone. -You mind your own business.

As long as my brother talks this crazy Notre Dame shit,

he deserves anything that comes his way.

Hey, you were a pretty big Notre Dame fan.

Yeah, I used to collect baseball cards too.

Forget about it.

You know what Coach Gillespie said about you, Frank?

-Pete. -He said you had a lot of talent.

But your problem was you were too afraid of getting hit.

You had no guts.

Go to hell, Pete.

-Come on. -It's okay.

He used to tell me, if you had one half of Rudy's heart and desire,

you could have been all-conference.

He said you were a pussy.

Hey. Frank!

Hey.

Come on, Frank.

Hey. Hey. Rudy!

-That's enough! -All right! All right!

That's enough, you hear me? Do you hear me?

That's enough!

Frank. Good.

Don't nothing ever change?

Throw them out, Mary Ann.

You didn't have to get into it with Frank like that.

I can take care of myself.

I know you can. That was between him and me.

Ever since he started working here, he's been pissed off at the world.

Yeah, because he's not the same kind of god around here

that he was in high school.

It's that damn pipe head again. Emergency water.

We got a breakout!

We need a man on the bridge!

-Rudy, I need more water! -I'm not getting anything!

Try another valve!

I'm not getting anything, Pete.

-Come on, goddamn it. -There's no pressure in the line!

We need to get out of here, there's no pressure!

Try something!

Pete!

Let us pray.

Oh, God, who alone are ever merciful and sparing of punishment,

humbly we pray you in behalf of the soul of your servant, Peter,

whom you have commanded to go forth today from this world.

Do not hand him over to the power of the enemy,

and do not forget him forever

but command that this soul be taken up by the holy angels

and brought home to paradise.

So that, since he hoped and believed in you,

he may not undergo the punishments of hell.

-But rather possess everlasting joys. -I'm so sorry.

-Through Christ our Lord, amen. -Amen.

You okay?

You wanna just go home?

I'm going to South Bend.

Now is not the time.

If I don't go now, I'll never be any good for you,

or for me, or anybody.

I'm sorry.

Your dad says you don't have to go back right away.

You can take as much time off as you need.

Sherry.

I'm not going back.

You don't have to right away.

I'm going to South Bend.

Rudy, you can't make decisions like this on the day of your best friend's funeral.

You're not thinking clearly.

I've never thought more clearly about anything in my entire life.

What about our dreams, huh?

What about the house?

And the family? What about those things?

I wish I could.

But I can't.

I can't believe it.

Good luck.

Dad.

What are you doing here?

You can take a couple of weeks off.

Your grandfather saved all of his life

to bring the family to this country.

He got a good job on the stockyard, he had a nice little house,

South Chicago.

When I was about 12...

somebody sold him on the idea he-- He ought to move to the country

and become a dairy farmer.

He buys some land, you know, and gets a couple hundred cows.

Within five months, every one of those cows was dead with disease.

It was the Depression.

Couldn't sell the land...

there was no work.

So one day...

he took off.

Didn't come back.

My brothers and me, we split up to live with friends or relatives.

Chasing a stupid dream

causes nothing but you and everyone around you heartache.

Notre Dame is for rich kids,

smart kids,

great athletes. It's not for us.

You're a Ruettiger.

There's nothing in the world wrong with that.

You can have a damn nice life.

Frank is gonna take over plant number two.

A couple years, he'll make more than me and Johnny.

You know he's in charge of the expansion program.

I don't wanna be Frank or John.

Excuse me, I need to see somebody about going to school here.

Now?

Admissions office doesn't open for another couple of hours, yet.

There's gotta be somebody I can talk to now.

Please?

Well, you could always talk to a priest. Maybe that's what you need, son.

Yeah, I'd appreciate that.

Just a minute.

Mr. Ruettiger?

-Rudy. -I'm Father Cavanaugh.

How long have you thought about this decision?

For as long as I can remember. I used to watch--

Have you taken the proper steps, investigated the process?

Yes. I have more to learn, but--

Are you fully aware of the sacrifices you're gonna have to make?

I am.

I'll do whatever it takes.

What brought you here today?

I just came from my best friend's funeral. He said that--

Of course.

What do you mean, "Of course"?

Well, son, it's very common for people suffering a crisis

to seek escape into the cloth. We usually recommend a grieving--

-Escape into the cloth? -That's just an expression we use

to describe people who are running from emotional or psychological pain

by choosing priesthood.

You think I wanna become a priest?

Don't you?

Nothing against being a priest, Father, but I don't think it's for me.

Why are you here?

I want to go to school at Notre Dame.

Well, have you applied?

No, my grades have never been very good, even though I tried.

But I'll try harder. I'll study 20 hours a day, if I have to.

This university-- It's not for everybody.

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to go to school here.

And ever since I was a kid, everyone said it couldn't be done.

My whole life

people have been telling me what I could do and couldn't do.

I've always listened to them, believed in what they said.

I don't wanna do that anymore.

Okay, Mr. Rudy.

Here's the deal.

Holy Cross Junior College is nearby. I can get you one semester there.

You make grades, you get another semester.

Then maybe, with a high enough GPA,

you might have a chance of getting into Notre Dame.

Hey, kid!

You're not supposed to be here.

Hey, this place is really something else, huh?

Someday, I'm gonna come out of that tunnel and run onto this field.

Well, it ain't gonna be this day.

I'm here to play football for the Irish.

Coach Parseghian know about it?

No, not yet.

Well, maybe you best tell him first.

Yeah, you're right.

Yeah, that's what I should do.

Thanks.

I'll see you around.

Is he expecting you?

-No, but this will just take a second. -Now just a moment, young man--

-Coach, can I talk to you for a second? -Sorry, coach, I tried.

-No, it's all right. I've got it. -Shall I close the door?

No. How can I help you, son?

I'm Rudy Ruettiger.

I'm here to talk about playing football for Notre Dame.

Our walk-on tryout date was two weeks ago.

I'm not talking about this year. I was thinking more about next springtime.

Are you a student here?

No. I'm at Holy Cross.

But I'm gonna be a student here.

See, I've been 3 Notre Dame fan for as long as I can remember,

since I was a little kid.

In high school, I started-- Is it all right if I sit down?

In high school, I started at corner back.

I mean, I wasn't the quickest guy on the team, but--

Or the biggest. --but I led the team in tackles.

But, anyway.

I've been working at a steel mill for about four years,

and I've been saving up my money.

And I've been planning on coming here.

But...

My friend Pete, he really understood what my dream was.

And he told me not to waste any more time.

But I don't know. For some reason, I couldn't...

See, he died in an accident on Friday.

And I came here right after the funeral.

You see what I mean?

Son...

I think you're in the wrong office.

Come on, now.

I don't understand, coach.

You might want to go over and talk to Father Cavanaugh at the rectory.

I talked to Father Cavanaugh, he's the one who got me into Holy Cross.

-He did? -Yeah.

He said that if I got good enough grades at Holy Cross--

And I will, I promise. --I'd be able to get in here, officially.

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself

and say I look forward to seeing you at practice.

-Thank you. -So long.

Sorry.

For us, divine inspiration does not mean that God possesses a man

and simply dictates the inspired text to him.

Rather, that God implants into a man's mind the general concept.

And when God does that,

he allows the man to write that in the historical context in which he lives.

What we call the Sitz im Leben, or that is, "the setting in life."

So a man may have historical inaccuracies,

but God allows a man to write with those misunderstandings

because what is important and inherent is the theological concept

that God is trying to get across to mankind.

I think that's all for today, ladies and gentlemen.

We will have a quiz on Monday, so please prepare yourselves for it.

Well done, Father.

Would you grade these for me, Dennis. I'd appreciate it.

-Certainly. -Thank you.

You learning stenography or what?

Everything he's mouthing's in the goddamn book.

I gotta make an A in this class.

Just remember your Sitz im Leben, and it shouldn't be a problem.

-You're gonna be great. -Hey, Nicky. Nicky.

I'm not talking to you, man. Not after what you did.

No, no, no.

You brought a girl to the party to meet me,

and the next thing you know, she sits next to Brian.

Hi, could you hold this?

-Yeah, sure. -Thanks.

So you're interested in a room to rent?

-I don't know, maybe. -Yeah?

My brother has a house about five blocks from campus.

I'm sick and tired of--

-I have an extra card I can give you. -Just forget it.

Forget it. I'll see you.

-If you're interested, call soon. -All right.

-Maybe tonight. All right, bye. -Bye.

You don't have a goddamn clue, do you?

About what?

About how to get an A in that class.

I could help you.

Look, besides being an honor student at Notre Dame

and a TA in Father:

I'm also a tutor for hire.

I can't even afford a room to rent.

Wait, maybe we can make some other kind of deal.

What kind of deal?

Well...

I...

I got Notre Dame pretty well staked out, you know.

Staked out?

Girls. I just don't know if here, at Holy Cross--

-Sorry. -Sorry.

I don't know the girls here at Holy Cross. I was wondering--

-What's your point? -Well, maybe you could...

What?

-Just introduce me to a few-- -I don't know any girls here.

So be it.

Wait a minute.

Hey, wait.

Hey, wait a minute.

Maybe I do know some girls.

In fact, I know a lot of girls.

-I just gotta find them. -That's the spirit.

As you can see, I'm pretty goddamn desperate.

I'm D-Bob.

-Rudy. -And I'm in love.

-Oh, hey, how you doing? -Don't say anything.

Hey, that's a pretty sweater you're wearing. This is my friend D-Bob.

He's feeling not well.

Will you cut it out? I got an image around here.

Baranski twisted his knee.

He's not gonna make next week's--

-This the practice field, right? -All practices are closed.

-I know Coach Parseghian. -Are you--?

-I talked to him the other day. -Watch out.

I'm getting real tired of doing the drills.

-Step back, okay? -All right.

Hey, coach!

Hey, you gotta keep your eyes open around here, kid.

Hey, coach.

Coach Parseghian.

Anything I can do to help the team, you just let me know.

See you.

-Who's that? -Your lunch breaks

are long. Now go plug in the end zone.

-Okay, boss. Right, boss. -Tell Jake I need to talk to him.

What did I tell you about trespassing?

They said you're the guy in charge, the guy I need to talk to.

-I need your help. -Why should I help you?

I wanna be your assistant.

I don't need an assistant, I've got a full crew.

Couldn't you use somebody else? I mean, I'll work for free.

What's in it for you?

I volunteered to help the football team-- Do anything I can,

but they wouldn't let me because I'm not a student.

But I will be.

If I'm gonna play on this field, I need to know the lay of the land.

You're nuts.

A lot of people have been saying that.

Well, you've gotta be nuts, you want to work for nothing.

I just wanna be a part of this university.

Okay.

Meet me here tomorrow, 10 am.

-Thanks. -Minimum wage.

-Thanks again. -All right.

Did you understand?

You're not listening, you don't understand what I'm saying.

-Let me help. -You sure?

-Yeah, yeah, no problem. Here. -I got it.

-Keep it straight, kid. -Okay.

-Poet. Scholar. -Dickinson. Dickinson. Dickinson.

Hut-hut. Blue and gold, let's go.

-Hi there, what's your name? -Donna.

-Great. My name's Rudy Ruettiger. -Hi, I'm Colleen.

-I've got this buddy, D-Bob. -D-Bob? With the two watches?

You mean "Mr. Marshall Field's"?

-His name's D-Bob, he's a sweetheart. -Well, maybe I'll see you around later.

-No, I have class. -I sit behind you in 235.

-Two watches. -Two watches.

Don't read the question if it's a long test in a short period. Right?

-All right. -Two of them will be similar.

It's gonna be one of those two. One's absurd, forget about that one.

All right, this is important, though.

"Psychological or changed behavioral responses"--

-What do you think? -Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt,

but I just have to ask you, have we met somewhere before?

You know, you look really familiar to me.

Maybe psych class. Do you have that on Monday, Wednesday, Friday?

I'm in there at 10:00.

Yeah. Yeah, he's in that class.

I bet that's where. I knew you looked familiar.

Well, anyway, this is kind of embarrassing,

but you heard about the dance on Saturday night, right?

-Right? -Yeah, we've heard about it. Sure.

Okay. All right, well, you know, I was just wondering,

do you have any plans?

-No. -No.

That's great. So you're available, huh?

-D-Bob would love to go. -Really? This is so great.

I would love to introduce you to my roommate, Elza.

Elza, come here.

Hi.

D-Bob's suspicious, so he made me go to a language lab to take tests.

They said I have a slight case of dyslexia.

It's like when the words get all mixed up in your head when you're reading.

I've been doing these exercises to get better.

And guess What. I got an A on a literature test.

Oh, that's great, kid.

Hey, do you live in here?

Believe it or not, got my own home.

That cot's for when my sciatica acts up.

Okay, let's go to work.

-See that hose on top of the locker? -Yeah.

Bring that with you.

So you're in student housing?

No, I'm living with a friend in town.

Where in town?

-I haven't found a place to stay yet. -Funds pretty low, huh?

All my savings went for tuition.

I shower at Holy Cross. I'm getting by all right. So this is it, huh?

Yeah, this is where it all starts and finishes.

"I've gotta go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid.

Sometime, Rock, when the team's up against it

and things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys,

tell them to go in there and win just one for the Gipper.

I don't know where I'll be then, Rock, but I'll know about it,

and I'll be happy."

The Four Horsemen.

Knute Rockne.

Moose Krause.

Angelo Bertelli.

Johnny Lu jack.

Leon Hart, Terry Hanratty, John Huarte, Jack Snow.

John Lattner.

Paul Hornung could've dressed in this locker.

We got work to do, kid.

"We're gonna go inside. We're gonna go outside. Inside and outside.

We're gonna get them on the run. We're gonna keep them on the run.

And then we're gonna go. Go, go, go!

We're not gonna stop until we're across that goal line.

This is a team they say is good. Well, I think we're better than them.

They can't lick us.

What do you say, men?"

By the way, Gipper, I got your gym card.

-You got it. That's great. -Wait, we had a deal.

-I do your laundry for two months. -It was harder to get than I anticipated.

-It's gonna be a semester. -Of doing your laundry?

-Come on, let me see. -A semester.

All right, fine. Just let me see the card.

-Come on, that's impossible. -It's your job to give it a shot.

-She's out of our league. -Hi.

Tell her I'm a "Field's.

As in Marshall Field's. She'll know. Just tell her that, please.

-Okay, see you later. -See you.

You'll definitely like that.

That looks great. I think you'll really enjoy it, thanks a lot.

Hi, are you interested in joining a student activity?

-Yeah. -Here's your choices.

Yeah.

Do you see that guy over there? Over by the pillar.

Could you maybe wave at him a little bit? Just kind of humor him.

Please?

Hi.

I'm gonna be late. I'll see you later.

-That was perfect. Thank you. -Well?

Choir looks good. I used to sing in the high school choir.

-What's Football Boosters? -We organize the pep rallies

and paint the helmets the night before. And do the card section.

The actual football helmets? You guys--

That's me. That's definitely me. Where do I Sign?

-Right here. -I'm sorry. I can't help you with that.

You are a student at Notre Dame, right?

Yeah. Why, don't I look like one?

Oh, no, we're just supposed to ask.

Yeah, no, I'm Notre Dame gold and blue, through and through.

Well, the first meeting is tomorrow night at the ACC, 7:00.

-See you there. -All right. Bye.

-Bev, you coming? -Yeah, wait up.

-Strike? -Out.

She has a boyfriend. He's on the football team or something.

-You looked like you were in. -Well, I'm sorry.

You look awful goddamn happy about this.

Thank you.

Catch you later.

Whoa, wait a second. Don't think I've seen you in here before.

"Constantino."

This doesn't look like you.

I took that picture last year.

I've lost a lot of weight since then. I had mono.

Hey, guys,

Freshmen.

-See that guy right there? Jamie O'Hare? -Yeah.

Most highly recruited halfback in the country.

They're counting on him to be the next Heisman.

I think I read about him.

You ask me, he needs to get coldcocked a few times, bring him down to earth.

Have fun.

-Thanks. -Yeah.

How you doing?

I know this great exercise for your quads. Might help you with your first step.

Who the hell asked you?

Just trying to be helpful.

Think I've never been in a weight room before?

We might as well be friends. We'll be on the same team next year.

In your dreams.

Come on, Prince, we'll do a circuit in 15.

This guy is hassling me.

Hey.

Leave the money alone, got it?

Back off, Steve. He's not doing anything.

He's just working out, that's all.

Thanks.

Yes, yes, yes. Definitely. All right.

I got you a beer.

Oh, I'm not 21.

Sorry. I'm 22. I took some time off after high school.

I traveled and worked a little bit. You know, the usual.

It's a little loud in here, isn't it?

I'll take you over to Malone's, buy you dinner.

Oh, I don't think so.

All right.

-Have you seen Angelo anywhere? -Saw him five minutes ago.

What's your major?

Journalism.

Are you gonna be part of the paper?

Yeah, sports.

Oh, that's great.

I think it's great that they let girls come to Notre Dame this year.

-Me too. -Finally.

Jamie, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Mary McDonald.

-Jamie O'Hare. -Hi, Mary.

-Hi. -Nice to meet you.

How do you know each other?

-Actually-- -We worked out together yesterday.

Jamie is our freshman halfback.

Who rushed for over 3000 yards

in his senior year at Wilkes-Barre High School,

was named Pennsylvania Player of the Year twice,

and is out his freshman year because of an Achilles tendon tear,

which explains why he's in here the night before the game.

How'd you know all that?

-I'm the biggest Notre Dame football fan. -I thought I was the biggest fan.

I'm meeting my brother and his wife for dinner.

-Would you like to join us? -Sure.

-Great. I don't wanna interrupt anything. -No.

See you later.

Bye.

-Did you take care of the field passes? -Chuck hasn't given them to me yet.

-Mary. -All right, balls home. White, check--

-Ball visitors, code black-- -Mary.

Oh, and also remember, you guys, that you return--

-Watch yourself. -Oh, sorry.

All your...

Hey.

Isn't this fantastic?

Did you know they put 24-karat gold in the paint?

-What's your name again? -Rudy Ruettiger.

I need your student ID to get your card section pass.

Well, I don't have it now, but I'm gonna get it.

-I can have it for you by tomorrow. -I gotta send the names in tonight.

Well, couldn't you let it slide this once?

It's the rules, sorry. Next game.

Are you gonna come to Corby's? It's where we all go when we're through.

Yeah, I'll be there. Thanks.

Fox, is that Bob Gladieux and Ron Dushney sitting at the end of the bar?

-How about another one? -Sure.

Now, that's a game to remember. 1966 against Michigan State.

Gladieux caught the greatest pass in Notre Dame football history.

Hey! Mary, Mary, quite contrary. What makes your garden grow?

Excuse me, could I get change for a dollar, please?

Thank you.

You all right?

Yeah. I just wanted to say it's been a pleasure working with you.

Thanks.

You said you were the greatest Notre Dame football fan in history.

I thought I was, so I guess that means we got something in common.

In fact, I'm gonna be playing football for the Irish next fall.

It's true. I've talked to Coach Parseghian about it.

You see, I'm at Holy Cross for a semester, maybe two at the most.

But Father Cavanaugh says if I make the grades,

that I'll have a real good shot at getting in.

And for the first time in my life, my grades have been really good.

You're not 3 Notre Dame student?

Not officially, no. But I will be next semester.

Then you can't be a part of the Boosters.

-I'm sorry. -Mary, wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Can you please just forget I said that?

-You know what a tremendous fan I am. -It's the rules.

I know, but...

Damn.

Come on.

-Hi there. I need one ticket. -No way.

-Hey, mister, 10 bucks for a ticket. -Ten bucks? You're about 90 short.

Hey, kid, can I buy that ticket from you?

Yeah, for 20 bucks.

Notre Dame all-American--

-Please, can I get in? I got 10 bucks. -I couldn't do it. I'd lose my job.

Really. I'd like to, buddy.

--Hands off to Eric Penick for the Notre Dame touchdown.

Penick, two yards for the Irish TD.

Do you have an extra ticket? Please?

-Just one ticket. I just need one seat. -I'm sorry, no.

Point after attempt is good. The score,

the Irish, 7, Northwestern, nothing.

Fortune, did you see Eric Penick's kickoff return yesterday?

-Nope. -I saw it on TV.

He broke free right about here.

The 40. The 35. The 30!

The 25! The 20! The 15!

The 10! The 5! Touchdown, Irish!

Hey, hey, hey, we got work to do.

Down, set, hut!

-You ever see a game from in here? -Nope.

Well, then your first game will be one I'm playing in.

Whatever you say, kid. You gonna watch me or are you gonna help me?

Hey, Fortune, thanks for the blanket and the key.

I don't know nothing about it.

Well, then who put the key on the cot?

You hear what I just said?

Yeah.

All B's.

And an A.

I know my grades have gone down, a bit, Father,

but I have a lot of extracurricular activities.

You did a good job, kid.

Those admissions people, you never can tell.

They're a funny bunch of squirrels.

Have I done all I can?

Excuse me.

Hi, I need box 620, please.

Thank you.

"Dear Mr. Ruettiger, your application for admission

to the University of Notre Dame was evaluated by..."

I'm proud of you. I know how hard you worked to get those grades.

But no matter how hard I work, I'm not gonna get in?

I mean, it's obvious.

I couldn't say. I'm not on the admissions committee.

Maybe my dad was right Maybe I just don't belong here.

If Holy Cross is all there is, I just don't see the point.

Maybe you should go home.

Merry Christmas to you.

Tommy, where did you get that? Oh, you're all sticky.

Well, it's okay, but it's just gonna get everything all over the place.

-Rudy. -Rudy.

Where have you been for so long?

I've been going to college at Holy Cross. It's in South Bend.

If you're going to Holy Cross, how come you got the Notre Dame jacket?

-Going there next year. -That's where I'll go too.

-Oh, yeah? -Do you want something to eat?

An A and three B's.

Good for you.

They held Atlanta to two field goals in the second half.

I didn't make it into Notre Dame this semester. I saw a couple home games.

I thought about you. You would have loved it. You gotta come for a game.

It's so exciting. You've never--

I watch the games here on my television. That's fine for me.

I know, but it's not the same thing.

What if I were in the game?

Jesus, we still have to listen to this crap?

That semester at college didn't make you any smarter.

I'm glad you made good grades.

Come on, Johnny. Please tell me.

It wouldn't be a surprise if I tell.

You can do better than that.

Okay, one more hint.

Okay.

Johnny boy, aren't you gonna wish your little brother Merry Christmas?

How you doing, Rudy?

Fine.

I just want to tell you that you going to college and all, I think...

I think that's great.

Thanks, Johnny.

I'll be in the kitchen.

I gotta go.

Why don't you stay for a while?

-I have to go to work. -Rudy, I'm sorry.

I just want to tell you that I hope you make it. I do.

-Thanks, Sherry. -I do.

Hi.

Hi.

Twelve o'clock. Closing time.

-Thanks, Mrs. Mackenzie. -No problem.

Thanks.

Yeah, vacation, that's all I hear from you. "I'm gonna go on vacation."

Okay, after this game you're gonna pay my money, right?

What about the end of the month?

It's Garowitz's stuff.

Total failure.

Everything I did.

Work, the studying, four hours a night's sleep in a dungeon.

I've blown another year of eligibility.

-This entire year's been a waste. -A waste, huh?

You got your head so far up your ass about that damn football team,

you don't get the fact you just got one year of top-quality education.

"Waste."

Don't be wasting my time.

Ain't you got some work to do?

-Play, man. -Some nasty cards.

-Hut, hut! -Good, looking very good.

Watch his head. Watch his head.

First three chapters for next week. Start thinking about those...

Thank you.

Damn it!

We gotta do our own cooking, and gotta do our own laundry.

We're not very good at that either.

-You gonna invite me? -You'll be the first one.

-First? I'm gonna be the guinea pig? -If you live through it, why...

Okay.

-Oh, excuse me. -Sure.

Taking your appeal to a higher court.

I'm desperate.

If I don't get in next semester, it's over, done.

Notre Dame doesn't accept senior transfers.

Well...

You did a hell of a job, kid, chasing down your dream.

I don't care. If it doesn't produce results, it doesn't mean anything.

I think you'll discover that it will.

Maybe I haven't prayed enough.

I'm sure that's not the problem.

Praying is something we do in our time.

The answers come in God's time.

Have I done everything I possibly can?

Can you help me?

Son, in 35 years of religious studies,

I've come up with only two hard, incontrovertible facts:

There is a God,

and...

I'm not him.

Is there anything in box 620, please?

"--Has been approved.

You've been accepted as a freshman for the fall semester."

Oh, thank God.

-Excuse me. -Sorry, man.

-What's wrong? -Read it.

"Congratulations, you are..."

I did it.

You did it.

You did it.

Hey, guys?

My son's going to Notre Dame.

All right, Rudy. Way to go!

Hey, you guys!

My son's going to Notre Dame!

You hear that, Johnny? Your brother's going to Notre Dame.

Can you believe it, Frank?

Congratulations.

So listen, you wanna work until it's time to go to school?

I gotta get back, Pop. Football tryouts start this week.

I'll call you.

One, two, three,

four, five, six,

seven, eight!

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight.

Let me tell it to you as clean as I can.

We have 95 players here

so accomplished as athletes in high school

we gave them full scholarships

to the best football program in the country.

NCAA regulations allow us to dress just 60 for home games,

which means at least 35 scholarship players

are gonna be watching from the stands.

So if any of you has any fantasies about running out of that tunnel

with your gold helmet shining in the sun,

you best leave them right here.

Of you 15 dreamers out there, maybe we'll keep one or two.

My job is to basically beat the shit out of you for the next five days.

And whoever is still standing at the end,

maybe we'll use for our scout teams.

You'll be running the opposition's plays week in and week out.

Your greatest value to us is we don't care whether you get hurt.

Our first teams are gonna pound on you like you're their worst enemies.

Like what you hear so far?

Any of you want to run home to Mama?

Now's your chance.

Joe, they're all yours.

Don't just stand there trying to think. Let's hit those ropes. Move it!

Move it, I said! Come on!

Pick them up, pick them up!

High knees! Let's go, gentlemen, let's go!

Pump your arms, keep your heads up.

That's it, don't step on that rope!

Up and down, let's go! Quickness. We want to see how quick you are.

A little to the right, little men. Keep it rolling, keep it rolling.

Heads up, keep moving, keep moving.

Pump those arms, pump those arms when you're backwards running.

Move them, move them, move them!

Keep your heads up, keep your heads up!

Run!

Gonna have any quit? Let's go.

Watch the ball.

Get in there, Ruettiger, get in there!

All right, let's concentrate and get it right. You, come on.

-Go hard, charge him. -Okay, set.

Hike!

-Set. -Let's go.

Hike!

What is that? What is that? What are you doing? Come on!

Who has the play? Who wants to do it right?

-I got it. -Come on.

-Right, stay low. Stay low and get it. -Set.

Get through that.

-Come on, let's do it again! -Now you hit.

-Go on, get out of here. -Come on, coach, I can do it.

-Oh, yeah? All right, we'll see. -Yeah.

Stay low.

This is where we separate the men from the girls.

Thirty, hit the spot.

Come on, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up.

Get in there. Pick him off, pick him off. Right there. Pick him off, damn it!

All right, all right, all right. Come on, 27, let's get in there.

Let's see if you wanna make this team, damn it.

Come on, dig in.

Relax for a few minutes.

Coach, if it was up to me, I'd get rid of all of them.

John, if they can't protect themselves, I don't want them.

-The kid with blood all over his jersey. -Ruettiger?

Have you been watching? No athletic skill.

He's put more effort than any two guys we've got.

You fellas decide.

Not in my defensive backfield. You want him, you got him.

All right, shower up. We'll let you know.

You think you made it?

Unfortunately, yeah.

What is so unfortunate about making the team?

This is my third year as a walk-on.

I had scholarships to two Big 10 schools,

but my father was an all-American here,

so I get a lot of family pressure.

I don't understand.

If you haven't been out, then you still have a chance.

-What, a chance to play? -Yeah.

Man, the only reason they keep me on here is because I'm a legacy.

To them, I'm no more valuable than a tackling dummy.

Ruettiger, come with me.

Yeah, coach.

You want on the team pretty bad.

You have no idea.

Sure busted your balls out there.

Coach, I'll do anything.

You think you can give the same effort

day in and day out for the next five months?

Sir, I have no doubt.

Fine.

If you do lighten up one hair,

I'll throw your butt off this team so fast you won't know what hit you.

Wait. Throw me off the team? I gotta be on the team first, right?

-Don't let me down, kid. -Does that mean I'm on the team?

-Yeah, kid, you're on the team. -Thank you.

Hey, hey, come on.

Go put some shoes on.

This course in mythology will be more than an ancient stroll through the Acropolis.

These stories are about the inside.

About our hopes,

our fears,

and our dreams.

Okay.

See you next time.

I didn't know they allowed Holy Cross students in this class.

-Hey. -You don't give up pretending, do you?

Hey, wait a minute.

Hey, I just have two things to say to you.

One, I'm an official student at this school.

And two, I'm on the football team.

And I did it by the rules.

That's three.

Three what?

You said you had only two things to say. That's three.

I can't win with you.

Congratulations on Thing 1.

Thank you.

Thing 2...

I just can't believe.

If you don't believe me, come out to practice.

All right, I'll do that.

Hey, Mary.

It's really good to see you again.

Yeah, we're gonna have to replace these supports over here.

Give me a hand.

Thanks for everything.

-Here. -What's that?

It's the key to the maintenance room.

Don't know nothing about it.

Yeah.

Remember, you promised.

You'll come see your first game if I ever dress.

You got a nut on you?

Well, I'll stop by every now and again, just to bother you.

See you later.

Hey, kid.

You ever dress...

I'll be there.

Sloppy! Run it again. Sloppy, for Christ sake!

Thirty-eight counter. The back missed the hole.

-He's gotta go to the outside. -Okay, coach.

You all right, man? Come on, get up.

-Get in the huddle, man. -Ruettiger.

Ruettiger, get out.

I can do it, coach!

-Right, let's go, boys. -Yeah.

-Ready? -Right, let's go, fellas.

And hut!

Hey, what are you doing?

Don't treat me like your kid brother. I'm playing defense man for Purdue.

You ain't here to be no nanny in no kindergarten!

-Now, go play ball. -Hit me, man.

Come on, now!

Red 40!

Red 40!

Set, hut!

Keep your ass down.

Get your ass down, boy.

-Come on, get in here. -Huddle. Huddle up, guys.

So on Eagle, do I go on "set" or "two"?

Gotta go on "set." You gotta pick the man up.

On Eagle Slant, do I let him slide or do I pick him up too?

Hey, little buddy. Hold up, man.

I'm not talking to you. Keep going.

I wanna tell you, I'm sorry about what happened at practice.

Don't be sorry.

Man, if you don't cool it, you're gonna end up getting yourself killed.

If I cool it, I won't be helping you guys get ready for the next week's games.

Got it?

I got it.

He's just a showboat, man. That's all he's about.

He's just doing his job, Jamie. Can it.

Go Irish!

Go Irish!

Go Irish!

What are you doing here?

I want to write a story about you.

Why?

I think you're an interesting guy.

No.

No?

There's nothing interesting about a practice player.

Maybe there is to me.

I'll tell you What.

If I ever dress for a game, you can write your story.

It's a deal.

-Break. -Irish.

-Let's go. -Come on.

Come on, here we go.

Watch and learn. Watch him.

Let's go, Rudy!

Hey, what are you doing, huh? Come here.

-Hey, break it up. Break it up. -Get off of me!

-Come on, Ruettiger. -Get out of there.

Beak it up. Break it up, I said. And cool down.

You brown-nosed suck ass! You suck ass!

-Ruettiger, get back to the huddle. -What's your problem, O'Hare?

Last practice of the season and this asshole thinks it's the Super Bowl.

Why, you just summed up your entire sorry career here in one sentence.

If you had the heart of Ruettiger's, you could have made all-American.

As it is, you just went from the third team to prep team.

Go on, get out of here. Get me another tailback.

-Huddle! -Come on, let's run it.

Come on, let's rock some ass. Come on now.

-Huddle! -Let's go. Defense, come on out.

Now, Rudy, I want you to ice this twice more in your room tonight.

We'll see you tomorrow.

And keep that pack on that shoulder for at least 15 more minutes.

Hey, Jim.

Your bullshit is making us all look bad, so why don't you dial it down a notch.

Dial it down?

Everybody's getting sick of hearing: "Put out more like Ruettiger."

What do you get out of getting your head kicked in every day?

It's not worth it, you know?

You gotta be in one play during a regular game

to go down in the books as officially being part of this team.

Only uniform you're gonna be putting on is that grungy thing you've been wearing.

Man, if you hate it so much, why don't you just quit?

I can't.

Why not?

If I quit, my father won't pay my tuition.

Is that the only reason you're here?

Part of me is under the delusion

that I might get a chance to run out that tunnel.

What does he think, I'm lying to him?

Nobody said nothing about lying.

Do I have to get pictures taken of practice to prove I'm on the team?

-I believe you, Rudy. -What happened to my face?

Where did I get these? Professional wrestling?

-So, you're a glorified water boy. -Oh, you just don't get it.

If you are on that team, my opinion of Notre Dame football hit the shits.

-Leave him alone. -There's no "if."

I wear a uniform, I block and I tackle. You just don't understand.

Actually, it's really simple.

Every Saturday when we turn on the TV to watch the Irish play,

a lot of players wear the blue and gold.

-We just don't see you. -Shoot it, Frankie.

-You will. -What did you say?

You will. Now shoot.

Just shoot.

Coach, Rudy Ruettiger's here to see you.

Send him in.

This won't take long, coach.

First, I'd just like to thank you for the opportunity of being part of the team.

Rudy, I never thought I'd be saying this,

but it's been a pleasure. Now what can I do for you?

Well, one of the many things that I've learned this year

is that no matter how hard I try, I'm never gonna get above the prep team.

I've kind of accepted that God made certain people to be football players

and I'm not one of them.

I wish God would put your heart in some of my players' bodies.

Yeah.

My father loves Notre Dame football more than anything else in the world.

He doesn't believe I'm on the team

because he can't see me at the sidelines during the games.

Next year, my senior year, I'd love to be able to give him this gift.

I would really appreciate it if you could let me dress one game next season.

Look, Rudy, the NCAA really hamstrings us with this 60 rule.

In certain positions, we only have one backup.

You know every year, we're competing for the national championship.

Is this just for your father?

No. No, it's for everybody who told me

that being 3 Notre Dame football player would be impossible.

It's for my brothers,

the kids in my high school, the guys I work with at the mill.

They can't come to practice and see that I am part of the team.

Okay.

-Okay? -You deserve it.

You'll dress for one game next season.

Thank you, coach.

Yes!

Well, I don't know which game yet, but it'll definitely be next season.

I'm sure.

I don't know, I guess they'll tell me a couple of days before the game.

Look, just be ready, okay?

Thanks, Dad.

All right, bye.

V—I-C-T—O-R-Y

Victory, victory, that's our cry

Gipper. Hey, Gipper!

Goddamn Miami law school beckons.

Miami!

I gotta go.

What's wrong with you?

Look.

Ara quit?

I'll be goddamned. Who's the new coach?

Dan Devine from the Green Bay Packers.

I'm sure Ara's gonna let him know about his promise to let you dress.

Come on, let's take a walk.

When are you leaving?

-In about six minutes. -Really?

The spring semester starts in two weeks.

We've had a hell of a goddamn--

We've had a hell of a goddamn run, haven't we, Gipper?

Yeah, we have.

You let me know when you dress. I'm gonna fly right out for that.

There's no way I can thank you for everything you've done.

You already have.

You remember Elza, right?

-Hi. -Good to see you again.

She's my girl now. She's coming with me.

-Isn't that goddamn something? -Dennis.

What? I forgot.

I'm not allowed to say "goddamn" no more.

What's a lapsed Catholic to do?

-We should get going. -Yeah.

I'll see you next fall, right?

Thanks for everything.

-You take care of him. -We're going.

I still don't understand why you have to leave.

Walk with me.

It wasn't easy for me to become a priest.

I fought a lot of battles.

Mostly in here and here.

But then when I got assigned to Notre Dame,

I thought that I'd achieved everything that I'd worked for.

This place.

The years I spent here are the best years of my life.

But maybe they've been too good.

I've gotten soft.

No, here.

And in here.

In fact, Rudy, the last two years,

you've been reminding me of something I lost along the way.

-Me? -Yeah.

You've got a warrior's spirit, Rudy.

You're a fighter, you're a battler, and that's what gives you life.

I don't understand.

In the trade, we call Notre Dame "a little slice of heaven."

But I think it's time I got out of heaven.

Got back to earth.

So I'm...

I'm gonna go do some missionary work. I'm going to Bangladesh.

Leaving first thing in the morning.

Who knows?

I might find a third incontrovertible truth.

You take care of the place while I'm gone.

Thank you, Father.

And send me a team picture.

But only if you're in it.

Coach?

Yeah.

Rudy Ruettiger.

Yeah.

I was a walk-on for Coach Parseghian last year.

You know, I don't believe in walk-one.

Especially with the caliber of program we have here.

I have 95 quality athletes on scholarships

and we'll probably play 60 of them at the most.

Why would I need walk-ons?

The prep team is important, because it doesn't matter if we get hurt.

Well, my bottom 35 can prep.

It'll toughen them up.

If I could have a chance to show you, prove to you that I'm a valuable asset...

Football here at Notre Dame is serious business.

There's no room for sentiment with so much at stake.

But...

Coach Yonto made a special plea for you.

He seems to think you'll serve some kind of purpose.

So I'm still on the team?

Yeah.

You won't be sorry.

-Don't I know you? -Ruettiger!

Get your ass back out here!

Go! Go! Touchdown!

Did Coach Y really say that?

Not exactly. It was more like we have a shot.

But my dad still doesn't believe I'm an official member of the team.

I don't know. Maybe he's right.

You haven't gotten where you are with that kind of self-pity junk.

Just remember, you promised not to print that article if I don't dress.

You know me. I play by the rules.

We're here.

I don't believe in that kind of stuff.

Light a candle for me to be on that dress list tomorrow.

Please.

I can pay my own way.

Sorry, man.

Rudy. Sorry, man.

-Just ain't right. -No, it's not.

-Where are you going? -I quit.

-Rudy, wait up. -The hell with Devine, hell with Yonto!

Wait up. In two years, you haven't missed one practice.

The last one of senior year, you quit?

-That's what I said. I quit. -I don't want you to quit.

What the hell is it to you?

Rudy, you're one of the reasons I stayed on this last year.

-Well, I'm sorry. -You're sorry?

You're full of crap, you know that?

Everything you did and everything you said is bullshit!

Tell Jake to make sure the tarp's ready.

We'll check with the weather service by 5, and we'll make a decision then.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

What you doing here? Don't you have practice?

Not anymore. I quit.

Well, since when are you the quitting kind?

I just don't see the point anymore.

So you didn't make the dress list.

There are greater tragedies in the world.

I wanted to run out of that tunnel for my dad.

-To prove to everyone-- -Prove what?

-That I was somebody. -Oh, you are so full of crap.

You're 5 feet nothing. A hundred and nothing.

And you've got hardly a speck of athletic ability.

You hung in with the best college football team in the land for two years.

And you're also gonna walk out of here

with a degree from the University of Notre Dame.

In this lifetime, you don't have to prove nothing to nobody except yourself.

And after what you've gone through, if you haven't done that by now,

it ain't gonna never happen.

Now go on back.

Sorry I never got you to see your first game in here.

Hell, I've seen too many games in this stadium.

-You said you never saw a game. -I've never seen one from the stands.

You were a player?

I rode the bench for two years.

Thought I wasn't being played because of my color.

I got filled up with a lot of attitude, so I quit.

Still not a week goes by, I don't regret it.

And I guarantee a week won't go by in your life

you won't regret walking out, letting them get the best of you.

Now, you hear me clear enough?

Yeah.

Bill? The pitch was too soon, son. Quick, make him commit.

Thirty-eight option, 38 option.

Let's hustle up.

It's Rudy.

Welcome back. Line up.

What the hell's going on down there? Let's get back to work.

Sixty hit. Sixty hit.

-Ready? -Irish!

Yeah?

Oh, hi, Roland. Come in.

I want Rudy to dress in my place, coach.

He deserves it.

Don't be ridiculous.

Georgia Tech is one of the top offensive teams in the country.

You're an all-American and our captain. Act like it.

I believe I am.

Me too, coach.

I want Rudy to dress in my place.

Coach, this is for Rudy.

For Rudy, coach.

I promise. This is the real thing-

I'm gonna be on the sidelines, in uniform.

Frank, I've never asked you for anything in my life.

Promise me he'll be on that bus tomorrow.

Frank, I want you to be there too.

Please.

Come on, keep up with me.

-Here you go. -What a day for a game, huh, coach?

You bet.

-All right. Go Irish! -Go Irish!

-Thank you. -Thank you.

I'll get you on the way back. I don't got my wallet on me.

This is our gate.

Hey, Rudy?

I just want you to know that I think this is a great thing.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

It's your day.

-I wish you could be out there with me. -I know.

This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen.

Come on, Dad.

Huddle up.

Bring it in, guys.

Father.

Everyone, take a hand.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God,

pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

-Notre Dame, Our Mother. -Pray for us!

You all know what you have to do.

Remember, no one,

and I mean no one,

comes into our house and pushes us around.

This is your game now, gentlemen.

And for you seniors, it's your last one, so make it count

because you will remember it for the rest of your lives.

-Let's get them. -Yeah!

Rudy.

You ready, champ?

I've been ready for this my whole life.

-Then you take us out on the field. -Let's go.

Come on, Rudy. Come on, now.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame.

All right, let's go.

Here they go!

-That's him, 45. -Okay, 45. You see him?

Forty-five! Forty-five!

That's him! I know him! That's Rudy!

All right, you guys already know this,

but this is the most important game of your lives.

No excuses. Do the work.

-Our Lady of Victory! -Pray for us!

What the hell? They're flying across the line.

Watch that number 70. He's waltzing with him.

Forty yards for 3 Notre Dame touchdown.

Fourth quarter, with only three minutes to play,

and the issue still in doubt.

As Barrett fades back to pass

for Georgia Tech from his own 30—yard line.

Looks up field and throws.

Intercepted by Roland Steele.

He has a convoy of blockers down the sidelines.

Steele going in unmolested

standing up, for 3 Notre Dame touchdown.

It's a back breaker for Georgia Tech.

-Joe, play all the seniors! -What about Rudy?

-Come on. Let him in for one play. -Absolutely not.

Coach, you gotta play him. You gotta play him, coach.

Come on, coach. One play.

Give him a chance, coach.

Notre Dame all over the ball. Thompson recovers for the Irish.

All right!

Go Irish!

Rudy.

Rudy. Rudy.

Rudy. Rudy. Rudy.

Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. Rudy.

Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. Rudy.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy!

Thirty-seven seconds remaining and it'll be all over here at Notre Dame.

Off to our left,

I'm starting to pick up the chant from the Notre Dame student body.

Can't quite make out just what it is at the moment.

In any event, Dan Devine's gonna empty his bench

with just little time remaining in the ball game.

One of the ballplayers going into the game is Jamie O'Hare.

You may recall that O'Hare was heavily recruited

throughout the country several years ago.

He came to Notre Dame,

and it's safe to say that his career has been a disappointment.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

-Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! -Listen. They're chanting for Rudy.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Kill the clock. Do it and go into a

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Let's go. Listen up. Victory formation.

The hell with Devine, Billy.

Long as offense is out here Rudy can't play.

-We gotta run the play. -No, we gotta score now.

-Come on. Let's get a score for Rudy. -Yeah, it's the last game.

All right, this one's yours. All right, pro right.

Thirty-eight halfback pass on one. On one. Ready?

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

What the hell is he doing?

Yeah!

Thirty-five yards for the touchdown.

Notre Dame, 23. Georgia Tech, 3.

That was for you.

What was that? Who called that play?

I tell you, it's just occurred to me

what the student body has been chanting the last two minutes.

It's the name "Rudy."

Dan Ruettiger, a walk-on senior

and subject of a feature article

in yesterday's student newspaper, The Observer.

-After toiling for two years... -All right, go get them, kid.

Go, Rudy! Go, Rudy!

He's so little!

Come on. One more play.

What do I do?

Stay on. Stay there.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

That's it. All right!

Yeah!

Who's the wild man now?

-Rudy! -Go, Rudy!