Ex-FSU WR Rudolph works to make roster
struck and killed 55-year-old Rudolph.
“Yeah, it was tough. I cried; I couldn't believe it, but God makes everything happen for a reason,” Rudolph said. “Like I say, you just have to move on.”
The NFL draft came the following weekend, but Rudolph insists he wasn't disappointed by not getting picked. His father always told him to stay focused, to work hard, believe in himself and make his own dreams come true.
Rudolph isn't even worried about his competition.
“It is a challenge everywhere,” he said. “I am confident in myself regardless of that fact. So I don't care how many receivers are on the team or how many good receivers are on the team.”
Rudolph knows he has some supporters, starting with his family and Bo Paske, the autistic child with whom he had lunch last August. The videotape of that encounter went viral on social media and Rudolph picked up 10,000 followers while he was at practice that day.
“Him just telling me that he loves me and just saying the that I am his friend forever just put a smile on my face, exciting him and his mother,” Rudolph said.
Rudolph and Paske have kept in contact and the youngster attended his draft party.
Several teams tried to sign Rudolph after the draft, but he chose the Giants. That's partly because he remembers their Super Bowl wins over the Patriots, including David Tyree's incredible helmet catch in the 2008 game.
The Giants also have a history with undrafted free agents, with the most recent being Victor Cruz overcoming the odds to make it.
“I definitely have a chance,” Rudolph said. “I know that they have great receivers, but I feel like I am a great receiver as well, so I have confidence in myself to make this team.”
The last month has also taught him something about himself.
“Just overcoming adversity,” he said. “That is all that it is. Not being drafted and losing my father the week before. You just have to overcome adversity and prove everyone wrong.”