Trusted Sports News
For Immediate Release
Inspiring Louisiana youth receives High School Football Rudy Award and $10,000 scholarship
February 3, 2010
Calob Leindecker today has been named the ‘Most Inspirational High School Football Player' in America. Leindecker was chosen as the winner of the 2009 High School Football Rudy Awards from over 390 nominees from 48 states. He will receive a $10,000 academic scholarship to a college of his choice. Leindecker will be presented with his award by Daniel ‘Rudy' Ruettiger in a ceremony on February 25, 2010 in his home town of Baton Rouge, LA. The two Runners-Up, Justin Ray Duke of Texas and Kyle Weafer of Kansas, will each receive a $5,000 scholarship. In addition to announcing the three finalists, Trusted Sports awarded Bobby Keeney of New Jersey a $2,500 scholarship for being the Fan Favorite, the Semifinalist with the most online votes.
"I want to thank Trusted Sports and Rudy for this wonderful honor, and for giving me the opportunity to represent the High School Football Rudy Awards in their first year," said Leindecker. "There were so many inspirational stories of extraordinary courage from kids all over the country. I promise to represent this award with character and honor. It's been a great ride! I have to thank my football coaches and my friends and family who have always had my back and supported me through everything."The High School Football Rudy Awards, established by Trusted Sports, Inc., honor student-athletes who most completely represent the ‘Rudy' on their team…someone whose contribution and commitment inspires others to excellence.
"This award has put the spotlight on our youth and their extraordinary achievements, allowing us to share their inspiring stories with America," said Rudy Ruettiger. "I'm blown away by these kids, the struggles they've overcome and the fact that the Rudy Award has allowed us to literally change lives. We've heard from Moms how this award has brought their communities together and given their son more self-confidence. Calob's story is the perfect example of everything the ‘Rudy' Awards represent. With great character and courage he has triumphed over the tragic loss of a leg. Showing incredible guts, Calob has amazed his doctors, family, teammates, and community. When many others would have given up or felt sorry for themselves, Calob worked harder, always focusing on his goal to get back out on the field and play football. In the process he has inspired and motivated everyone who knows his story and caused them to dream big and never quit!"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. When he dressed for the first time since the accident and led his team on the field, there wasn't a dry eye in the stands. During that game he was the placeholder for the kicker, while off the field he trains every day hoping eventually to play his original position of Defensive Back.
The Award received more than 1.6 million online fan votes by the American public. Each Rudy nominee had a story of great heart that came through in the voting and the outpouring of support from local communities throughout the United States. This is what youth sports is really all about: kids having fun and learning lessons that will be with them for a lifetime. Finalists were chosen by a combination of fan voting and judging by a national selection committee made up of sports personalities including Jim Mora Sr., Andrea Kremer, Shaun Alexander, Drew Bledsoe and Jenn Brown.
About Trusted Sports, Inc.:
With more than 70% of kids dropping out of sports before age thirteen, Trusted Sports was created with the mission to motivate kids to thrive in life through sports by inspiring, educating, and uniting young athletes, parents, and coaches. Trusted Sports aims to "Keep Kids in the Game" through exciting initiatives like the RUDY Awards program.
For more information about Trusted Sports and the High School Football RUDY Awards, please visit TrustedSports.com.
Media Relations Contact:
Sandy Henderson
Trusted Sports
Sandy@TrustedSports.com
(541) 848 9509
Trusted Sports and "Rudy" Ruettiger announce America's 30 most inspirational High School football players.
December 10, 2009
Trusted Sports' search for the nation's most inspiring high school football player has been narrowed to 30 semifinalists from 22 states. America can vote for their favorite at www.HighSchoolRudyAwards.com A $10,000 academic scholarship and the inaugural RUDY Award goes to the winner, with $5,000 scholarships going to each runner-up.
"As the only national award that honors players who bring extraordinary heart, not necessarily extraordinary stats to their sport, we've seen an overwhelming response with 396 nominees from 48 states.The High School Football RUDY Awards, established by Trusted Sports and Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger, honor student-athletes who most completely represent the 'Rudy' on their team... someone whose courage and commitment inspires others to excellence. These same traits were immortalized in the blockbuster film 'Rudy', starring Sean Astin and Jon Favreau. To connect with the 30 semifinalists' exciting life stories and vote for your favorite, go to www.HighSchoolRudyAwards.com.
Our youth are triumphing over significant challenges and we are honored to celebrate that. These nominees are heroes who commit to their team and the game at a level I've rarely seen," commented Mr. Edmonds. "I'm inspired by what our youth have overcome and it is a testament to their courage that their stories motivate others to stay in the game; or even take up a new sport."
Three RUDY Awards finalists will be chosen from the 30 semifinalists by the public and our esteemed selection committee, including: Jim Mora Sr., former Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints Head Coach; Andrea Kremer, NBC Football Sideline Reporter; Shaun Alexander, former Seattle Seahawks running back and NFL MVP; Drew Bledsoe, former New England Patriots quarterback and four time Pro Bowl selection; Jenn Brown, Inside the NFL Special Correspondent / ESPN GameDay Correspondent; Mike Smith, the 7th all-time winningest High School Football Coach in America; and Andy Beal, President CBS MaxPreps, Inc. The winners will be announced on February 3rd, 2010.
"I had the great privilege of playing football at many different levels," said former New England Patriots QB, Drew Bledsoe. "There are inspirational stories at each step but nothing matches the purity of heart and desire of a high school athlete determined to overcome all obstacles.Trusted Sports' goal is that someday soon we will celebrate the 'Rudy' on every team in America (boys, girls, and all sports) much like we celebrate the most valuable or most improved player. Just as the film 'Rudy' transcends playing football for the University of Notre Dame, we hope these awards transcend high school sports. The High School Football RUDY Awards are produced and managed by Trusted Sports.
The motivation has nothing to do with money or fame. High school athletes, and especially the ones being considered for the RUDY Awards, are motivated by something far deeper. They strive to prove to themselves and their teammates that there is no injury too severe, no setback too big and no circumstance too difficult to overcome. Hats off to these young men! They remind us of all that is right with athletics."
About Trusted Sports, Inc.:
With more than 70% of kids dropping out of sports before age thirteen, Trusted Sports was created with the mission to motivate kids to thrive in life through sports by inspiring, educating, and uniting young athletes, parents, and coaches. Trusted Sports aims to "Keep Kids in the Game" through exciting initiatives like the RUDY Awards program.
For more information about Trusted Sports and the High School Football RUDY Awards, please visit TrustedSports.com.
Media Relations Contact:
Sandy Henderson
Trusted Sports
Sandy@TrustedSports.com
(541) 848 9509
Trusted Sports launches search for The Most Inspirational High School football players in America
October 13, 2009
Bend, OR – Trusted Sports, Inc. (TSI) and co-founder, Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger announced today the search for The Most Inspirational High School Football Player of the year, who will receive the inaugural "High School Rudy Award" and a $10,000 academic scholarship. This award is aimed at not only celebrating incredibly inspiring player stories, but also to motivate other kids to thrive in life through youth sports. A total of $20,000 in academic scholarships will be awarded. The recipient of the High School Football Rudy Award will receive a $10,000 college scholarship. Two runners-up will each receive a $5,000 scholarship. In just one email push to the 16,000 High School football coaches in America, Trusted Sports has already received 149 nominations from 40 states. Real life stories of each nominee will be posted at HighSchoolRudyAwards.com and parents, kids, and coaches are encouraged to go to the website and identify their most inspiring nominees before the November 30, 2009 cutoff. The top 20 nominations will be announced on December 11, 2009. People can nominate a player they believe is a 'Rudy' at HighSchoolRudyAwards.com. The award honors student-athletes who may not have the greatest stats, but who bring the most heart to their game.
The High School Football Rudy Awards is an expansion of the highly successful College Football Rudy Awards, now celebrating its third year, which was originally created by Ruettiger as a way to honor those athletes that inspire their teammates with their determination, character and commitment sometimes in the face of significant adversity. "The 2008 College Rudy Awards received nominations from some of the toughest coaches in football. Yet, when they listened to our finalists at the awards ceremony there wasn't a dry eye in the room!" explained Ruettiger.
"We want to honor those kids who are rising above physical, mental and emotional challenges. These high school nominees – some of them just fifteen years old – are an inspiration! I've been following their stories and am amazed at what they have overcome.
Kurt LeBlanc of Louisiana suffered two strokes that left him unable to speak. Steven Barber of Colorado was born deaf, yet he's never allowed that to stop him from following his dream to play football. Anthony Braham of New York suffers from kidney failure. A.J. Bocchini of Wisconsin deals with Cerebral Palsy, but none of these kids allow their challenges to stop them from contributing to the team! Their stories motivate everyone who reads them; inspire kids to take up a sport, or continue playing.
America needs heroes - now more than ever; and we're finding them on the high school football fields throughout the country."
The 2009 Selection Committee includes former Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints Head Coach, Jim Mora Sr.; NBC Football Sideline Reporter, Andrea Kremer; former Seattle Seahawks running back and NFL MVP, Shaun Alexander; former New England Patriots quarterback and four time pro bowl selection, Drew Bledsoe; and Inside the NFL Special Correspondent, Jenn Brown.
About TSI: With more than 70% of kids dropping out of sports before they turn thirteen, Trusted Sports was created with the mission to motivate kids to thrive in life through sports by inspiring, educating, and uniting young athletes, parents, and coaches. "We know when our kids are engaged in youth sports it translates to a decrease in childhood and teenage obesity, lower levels of drug use, fewer cases of teenage pregnancy and an increase in their overall health and wellbeing," said CJ Edmonds, CEO of Trusted Sports. Our Mission is to "Keep Kids in the Game" through such inspirational initiatives as the Rudy Awards program. Our hope is that someday soon we will celebrate the 'Rudy' on every team in America (boys, girls, and all sports) much like we celebrate the most valuable player or most improved player. Just as the film RUDY transcends playing football for the University of Notre Dame, we hope these awards transcend high school sports.
The High School Football Rudy Awards are produced and managed by Trusted Sports Inc., a Bend, Oregon based company. For more information about Trusted Sports, please visit TrustedSports.com and HighSchoolRudyAwards.com.