He Said She Said: Rudy Ruettiger’s Wife Weighs In!
Generally, any follow-up to our debates takes place in the comments section, but there has been a development on our Rudy Ruettiger debate which deserves a post of it’s own…
She Said
Despite having complete confidence in my argument, I decided to seal the deal. I used the contact information on Rudy Ruettiger’s website and sent an email describing our debate and requesting more information about his nickname. My request was forwarded to Rudy’s wife Cheryl, who graciously responded; I will include excerpts from our exchange below. The Donkey will verify that I am NOT making this up!
Me: Has Rudy always gone by the first name Rudy, or was this just occasionally applied to him as a nickname representing his last name? When did people start calling him Rudy? When people called him Rudy did they just mean it as a quick way to say his last name, or was he actually known as “Rudy Ruettiger”?Cheryl: The name Rudy started as a nickname for his last name Ruettiger when he was a young boy in grade school. However, both names are now always used together. Rudy is known as and goes by Rudy Ruettiger.
Me: I really appreciate your speedy response. Would you mind answering one more question? When did Rudy start going by the name Rudy Ruettiger, as in–the name he would use to introduce himself?
Cheryl: It started in High School and became more significant in College.
Need I say more? (Don’t worry, it’s not too late to change your vote!)
He Said
This news helps my case tremendously, and I appreciate Mrs. Ruettiger for supplying the information. I should probably apologize for the “smaller than life wannabe football player” comment, but that was an accurate assessment.
During the initial game of Scattergories, Nancy’s main arguments were: First, that the name Rudy was not a nickname; Second, that He was an athlete; Third, that even his parents called him Rudy at the dinner table. She then went on to claim that Rudy was not a nickname based on his last name. With those arguments, I had no choice but to refuse 2 points because it was clear to me then (and now confirmed through the above email) that Rudy was a nickname based on his last name.
I would happily count a nickname, but I didn’t believe that he went by “Rudy Ruettiger.” Clearly he goes by this now, but that information was not known during the debate, which is why everyone disagreed with awarding 2 points. We all assumed it was a replacement for Ruettiger, not Daniel. It is also clear that his parents were not calling him Rudy as portrayed in the movie during elementary school and high school. If you want to award 2 points based on the fact that Rudy now goes by Rudy Ruettiger, I would not disagree. Remember, that argument was not presented during the game. If you are trying to assess the argument during the game, then you have no choice but to refuse 2 points. As always, my hope is that logic will prevail; however, you never know.
See the results of this poll here.
9 Responses to “He Said She Said: Rudy Ruettiger’s Wife Weighs In!”
Let’s clarify: I never claimed that the nickname “Rudy” was not based on the last name “Ruettiger.” Also, the poll does not ask how many points I should have been awarded. It simply asks how many points you would award.
By The Wife on Oct 5, 2007
give it up – donkey boy
By rob & kami on Oct 5, 2007
Mike & I both award 2points. final answer
By Karen Rich on Oct 5, 2007
My own cousin and her back-stabbing husband who just 2 weeks ago said they would vote for me? I can’t believe it. I am crushed.
By The Donkey on Oct 5, 2007
wo wo wo… no need for name calling, i still stand by my initial vote of 1 point. (Good thing i checked the comments!) M Richards
By Anonymous on Oct 5, 2007
Hmm, do I get to be called an athlete because I played baseball as a kid and play volleyball once every three years. I don’t think so! I would consider an athlete one who primary business is that of athletics. I think Rudy falls short (so to speak) on that score. Zero points.
By Philip on Oct 5, 2007
Ok Mr Richards, you are back on the good list. Way to fight the power!
By The Donkey on Oct 7, 2007
I always say that the wise husband ALWAYS gives his sweetheart the benefit of the doubt especailly when there are sleeping arrangements to be worked out later in the evening. Many a couples go to bed much happier when the wife gets the 2 points. Just something to think about.– Mimi in So. Cal
By Anonymous on Oct 9, 2007
When in doubt- consult the dictionary! I decided to look up the definition of “Athlete” and got this answer: Athlete -one trained to compete in athletics. From Webster’s New Dictionary. The wife is right, according to the definition, an athlete only needs to train compete in athletics- If the person dies before actually competing- they are still an athlete! By the way, Rudy is one of my all time favorite movies! Right up there with Goonies and Newsies!
By Julie on Dec 4, 2007