High School Rudy Awards

The High School Football Rudy Awards honor high school football players who demonstrate the exemplary values of inspirational football legend Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger. The most talented player with the best stats will not win the award; rather the Rudy Awards measure the size of a player's heart. The top 30 inspirational players will receive an autographed Rudy #45 jersey. A national selection committee that also incorporates a fan vote will choose the three finalists. The nation's most inspirational player will receive a $10,000 college academic scholarship and the two runners-up will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.  Click to learn more.

Congratulations 2009 Rudy Award Finalists!

Calob Leindecker

Parkview Eagles / Baton Rouge, LA

Leindecker lost his leg in a car accident caused by a mudslide when he was 16. He underwent nine different surgeries including the amputation of his leg, saying at the time, "You can take my leg, but you can't take my heart". Two years of recovery, rejection by his skin of the prosthetic and rehabilitation never dampened his spirit or resolve to play football with his team, the Park View Eagles. Throughout the entire ordeal, friends and family say Leindecker never resorted to self-pity or depression, always thinking of others and concentrating on his goal of playing for his team again.

Kyle Weafer

Blue Valley Huskies / Overland Park, KS

Weafer was born on Super Bowl Sunday in 1991. His father dreamed of sitting in the stands cheering for his son as he played football. Near his third birthday, Kyle was diagnosed with autism. Bob Weafer felt his dream slip away. As he grew up, behavioral issues increased along with strict routine rituals. Yet, in January 2009 he turned to his father and said, "I play football." There began an astounding journey of an autistic boy that inspired a community.

Justin Ray Duke

Shepherd Pirates / Shepherd, TX

In 2006 Duke was playing in a school basketball game when he hit a wall, and broke his neck. Informed by his doctor he would be a quadriplegic, Duke began a three year battle that included learning to walk again. He had several setbacks along the way, including the formation of a syrinx, or fluid filled cavity on his spinal cord. Despite attending school in a wheelchair, and wearing a halo, Duke continued to believe he would one day join his team, the Shepherd Pirates on the gridiron.

Bobby Keeney

Pinelands Regional Wildcats / Tuckerton, NJ

Keeney endured tragedy early in life when he watched his sister killed in a car accident. He is a volunteer coach for a group of mentally and physically challenged youth, and aims to become a teacher or police officer so he can continue to give back to his community. Bobby has been named 'Fan Favorite' due to the support he received from his town and extended community. His family created a targeted social media plan including Facebook pages and 'power voting' parties resulting in Bobby's award.