Nearly everyone who has succeeded in some venture of life has at one point encountered critics and criticism. The events throughout the movie, Rudy, directed by David Anspaugh, are no different. The movie, based on a true story, is an inspiring tale of Daniel "Rudy" Rudiger"s fight against all odds to play football for Notre Dame. Rudy, through the course of his entire life, had been told by everyone that chasing his dream of playing Notre Dame football would only cause him heartache. Despite all hindrances, Rudy, played by Sean Astin, accomplished his dream, and is to this day the last Notre Dame football player to be carried off the field. The reoccurring them in the movie is to be persistent in chasing your dreams and overcome all obstacles and criticism you may encounter along the way.

             Evident throughout the entire movie is how the desire in Rudy"s heart helped him to overcome any physical abilities he lacked. This is clearly shown through Coach Parseghian"s having said to another player, "If you had only a tenth of the heart of Rudiger, you could have been All-American" (Coach Parseghian). Rudy was not blessed with the physical abilities of other players, but rather with the heart to continually persist in achieving his dream of playing Notre Dame football. Rudy"s heart and desire probably got him farther in the game of football than he would have got had he been more athletically gifted. Also lending support to .

             this is Coach Parseghian telling Rudy, "I wish God would put your heart in some of my players" bodies" (Coach Parseghian). Clearly, Rudy"s coach felt he had the most heart of anyone on the team. Players with desire like that of Rudy are becoming increasingly harder to find in today"s world of athletics, and therefore coaches are coming to appreciate them more. Rudy"s self-confidence and persistence in the game of football, despite not being born with an incredible ability to play the game, is truly awe inspiring and worthy of much praise.