AMARILLO, TEXAS -- He's best remembered as the little football player, defying all odds and living out his dream of going to Notre Dame and being hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders to the chants of "Ru-dy" after going in for one play to end his football career.
Friday, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger was a guest at Horace Mann Middle School. Students received his book, "Insights for Winning in Life" and they wrote essays about their own dreams and life goals. Students like Michael Ramirez who wants to be a doctor.
"Everyday I wake up and pray, I'm going to be a doctor, and to keep trying and finally someone other than God has read my essay and I'm happy about it."
Rudy spoke to the students for about an hour, reminding them to never give up on their dreams, just like him in the movie about his life.
"God has blessed me to be a messenger of hope. Now the movie helps and the kids get it. When we did the movie we thought we have to teach many other lessons not just football...but they do build character and courage and commitment and I can contribute back," said Ruettiger.
Something Michael took to heart.
"It's going to boost my energy and help me reach my goals. Be able to talk to others about him and what he did in my life."
And those are the kinds of message that keep Rudy going.
"It helps me, it gives me hope cause you go to do so many things and you need to recharge too. And then you meet a kid that lifts you up. They know education is no good until you get inspired and if you can inspire these kids to get educated, that's the key."
