I’m not breaking any news here: Notre Dame is a polarizing team.
You know from a young age whether you root for or against the Fighting Irish.
For me, Notre Dame is part of the evil triumvirate that includes the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees.
And yet, I have a whole shelf in my office with Notre Dame items. There’s a piece of one of the old wooden benches that were installed in Notre Dame Stadium in 1930 and removed in 2016.
There are three tickets, a signed game program, a stadium parking pass, a press pass and three pictures.
Why?
Because the “Rudy” game, to me, is one of the coolest moments in sports history.
A 27-year-old, 5-foot-6 walk-on from the practice squad who was a live-in security guard at the Athletic and Convocation Center, got to go in for two plays at the end of a 24-3 blowout on Nov. 7, 1975. Somehow, Rudy Ruettiger was in on both tackles, including a sack of Georgia Tech quarterback Rudy Allen.
It’s the most against-all-odds story, even more so than little Milan winning the 1954 Indiana State High School title — a story told in “Hoosiers,” directed by David Anspaugh, who also directed “Rudy.”
And it’s a collectible moment that wipes out any ill feelings I have toward Notre Dame.
Need proof?
Outside of Tom Brady’s first start at Notre Dame in 1998, which has been graded by PSA a total of 97 times, and the 1988 game against Miami, referred to as the “Catholics vs Convicts” game (45), the “Rudy” game is the most-graded ticket with 40.
The availability and low cost of Dan “Rudy” Ruettiger at autograph events has made it more appealing, and he does a nice job. I have a program from the game detailing “The Sack" in an extensive inscription.
He inscribed my ticket “The Real Rudy Ruettiger” and signed a movie prop press pass and a movie premiere ticket.
The amazing thing about the whole story is it hangs on just two newspaper accounts, both written the next day in the South Bend Tribune and the Chicago Tribune.
Bill Moor, South Bend Tribune: “Some of his teammates don’t even know his name is Dan Ruettiger. It has always just been “Ruetty.’”
Bill Jauss, Chicago Tribune: “Two touchdowns didn’t draw the largest roar from the crowd. The full house of 59,075 fans saved that until the last play. Dan Ruettiger, a 27-year-old Navy veteran and Irish senior got into his first game and nailed a runner for a loss. Ruettiger, a native of Joliet, got a hero’s ride off on teammates backs.”
Joe Montana, who was the quarterback at the time, in 2020 told “Pardon My Take” that most of the “Rudy” movie is embellished.
“Was there a lot of things that happened?” Montana asked. “Yeah, he got a sack. Was the crowd chanting? No. Did I throw in my jersey? No. Did he get carried off the field? He got carried off by three of the biggest pranksters on the team.”
But this dismisses so many other parts of the story.
Ruettiger first went to Rockport College. He then was a turbine operator for ComEd. He then went to the Navy, graduated from Holy Cross JC, got admitted to Notre Dame, got in the game and sacked the quarterback.
The jerseys being place on the desk of Dan Devine, urging the Irish coach to play Rudy, were a Hollywood thing — but it’s not completely made up as Montana insinuates.
The account is right there the next day in the South Bend Tribune. Defensive line coach Joe Yonto told the reporter three starters said they wanted Rudy dressed before them.
Joe Yonto said Randy Payne, Bob Zanot and Pat Sarb wanted Ruettiger to dress before them.
Montana might not do anything for the 50th anniversary coming up later this fall, but I hope Notre Dame does. Despite the Fighting Irish's rich football history, which might get richer tonight in the national championship game, it’s the best story they’ve got.
Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct.com and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectibles market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.