Quitters Never Win: The True Story Behind ”Rudy”

It’s the movie Kobe Bryant said changed his life. 

Based on a true story, the 1993 film “Rudy” tells the story of Dan “Rudy” Ruettiger’s dogged determination to fulfill his dream of attending Notre Dame and playing football for the Fighting Irish. “Rudy” remains one of the most popular sports movies of all time, mainly because it was not about football, but about the power of the human spirit. 

But some have questioned the details included in the film. According to Joe Montana, a Notre Dame teammate of Rudy’s, "It's a movie, remember ... not all that's true.”  

So what exactly does that phrase “based on” mean in this case? And does knowing that some artistic license was taken affect the movie’s impact? Listen in as Candy and Ashley explore these questions and compare the “reel” version to the actual events behind the inspirational and beloved film “Rudy.”