High school

• Named honorable mention All-America by Sporting News as a Senior
• Selected as 15th best prospect in the nation by Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Earned the state championship in the shot put as a senior
• Earned two letters as two-way tackle, long snapper and kicker
• Lettered three times in track, performing in the discus and shot put
• Graduated from Dunmore High School with perfect 4.0 GPA
• Nicknamed 'Big Master'

College career

Ruddy attended The University of Notre Dame from 1990-1994. He was a four year letterman and two year starter during this time. He was selected as a second-team All-America and first-team All-Independent by The Football News and the Associated Press. Ruddy also posted a perfect 4.0 GPA his junior and senior years at Notre Dame. He graduated with 3.86 GPA. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He also earned post-graduate scholarships from the NCAA and the National Football Foundation. He is also a member of Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society).

Professional career

Ruddy was the second-round draft choice (65th overall) of Miami in 1994. Ruddy started 140 games of his 156 games played in which 16 of those non starts were his rookie year but he saw time in all of them. During most of his career he was the center for Dan Marino who has held almost every meaningful NFL passing record and is widely recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history.

In 2001 Ruddy was named to his first and only Pro Bowl. He was originally named a second alternate, but replaced the injured Tom Nalen of the Denver Broncos. He was the first Miami center to be selected to the Pro Bowl since Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson in 1987. The last few years of Ruddy's career were plagued with knee problems and his playing time was limited. Ruddy was released by Miami following the 2003 season. It was rumored he talked to a few teams after his departure from Miami but didn't sign with any team.

Ruddy was selected as one of the top 40 Miami Dolphin players of all time, and was named as a second team offensive line selection to the Pennsylvania Football News All-Century Team.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]