Rudy Ruettiger Research Paper

The Hardworking Dreamers Rudy Ruettiger once said, “When you have passion and commitment, you do not need a complex plan. Your plan is your life is your dream” (“Rudy Ruettiger Quote”). Two young men each have a dream in their lives that plans out their future. In their high school years they really work hard to achieve their dreams. Shawn Grim’s dream was to be the first in his family to get a college degree and Rudy Ruettiger’s dream was to play on the Notre Dame football team. Shawn Grim and Rudy Ruettiger are the two young men who even through their difficult lives, they go on and try their best to achieve their dreams. Both Shawn and Rudy struggled with money and they were homeless. Shawn lives in Appalachia in his own red pick up truck, with very little money. He plays football for his high school team and is a very good athlete. He also makes money by working at a Burger King. Rudy came from a blue collar family from Joliet, Illinois. Unlike Shawn, Rudy lived in a janitor's closet for a part of his life while trying to succeed in school. He earned
money by working at a steel mill and being a janitor for his college. In addition to Shawn and Rudy’s homelessness, they also had tough backgrounds. Just as Shawn and Rudy both being homeless, both of these two young men also had tough backgrounds with their families and relationships.
Shawn’s family never really got along and they stole from each other often. His stepdad was an alcoholic and his brother did some dirty things that he is not proud of. He also had heartbreak when he failed in school and he disappointed himself and his family. Even though Rudy also had a tough background and relationships, he is different in some ways. Rudy’s family never really supported him with his dream, especially his dad and brother who both agreed that he could never do it. He was also heartbroken when his own brother took his girlfriend from him when he was away trying to achieve his dream. He was also not accepted into Notre Dame after applying three times, which really hurt him. Although Shawn and Rudy had some very difficult times, they had some bright moments
too. Finally, both Shawn and Rudy had college experiences. Shawn went on to Pikesville Community College with a scholarship, but he dropped out just about eight weeks later due to grades, money, and stress. He unfortunately had to return home and live the life that he did not want to, and maybe one day Shawn will try again to achieve his dream of graduating college if he ever gets the chance. On the other hand, with tons of hard work, Rudy was successful and achieved his dream. He eventually entered Notre Dame with his grades and tried out for the football team. He played multiple years for the Notre Dame football team but only for the practice team, and finally he made it officially into a game his senior year which was his dream all along. Rudy had the heart to play the game of football, and that is what brought him all the way to achieve this dream and it is a day he will never forget. Compared to Shawn, Rudy was much more successful and never gave up to achieve this dream. Shawn Grim and Rudy Ruettiger were definitely two hard working young men, and even the most hardworking quit sometimes, but some keep pushing. Even through homelessness, money struggle, terrible backgrounds, and difficulties through college, they still fought on to achieve as much as they could. Their dreams and all of their motivations really pushed them and they went to college and gave it their all. To take a lesson from Shawn and Rudy’s story, when people try their best and give it their all, they can surprise themselves and be proud of their achievements and how far they went.