Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger will share his message on how to “dream big” and the importance of building relationships at the RISE Medicare Marketing & Sales Summit, February 16-18, 2022, at Caesars Palace.
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the most inspiring graduate to walk the halls of the University of Notre Dame, will kick off the first day of the 2022 RISE Medicare Marketing & Sales Summit with a message on how to overcome obstacles and achieve your dreams.
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Twenty-seven seconds—and years of perseverance—was all it took to cement Ruettiger into college football history as one of the greatest sports underdog stories ever told.
The third of 14 children and the son of a steel mill worker, Ruettiger struggled in school due to undiagnosed dyslexia. Despite his academic challenges and being undersized at 5'6'' and 165 pounds, his lifelong dream was to attend the University of Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish, his father’s favorite team.
He was rejected from Notre Dame three times before finally receiving his acceptance letter. Eventually he won a spot on the Notre Dame scout team, which helps the varsity team practice. In the last home game of his senior year, and in its final moments, Ruettiger tackled the Georgia Tech quarterback, the only play in the only game of his college career. He is the first player in the school’s history to be carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates.
Although it was his first and last time he stepped onto the field during an official game, he earned his place in football history and became a University of Notre Dame legend. The 1993 movie “Rudy” that is based on his life is considered one of the all-time great sports films ever made.
Ruettiger’s keynote will take place at 9:10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, the first day of the main conference. His presentation will explore the idea of having and building a dream, ways to stay on course and overcome obstacles, and the importance of developing relationships throughout your life.
The Medicare Marketing & Sales Summit will be held Feb. 16-18, 2022, at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Preconference workshops and an opening reception will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 16 followed by the main conference. Click here to download a brochure, see the agenda, and view a complete list of speakers.