Rudy Ruettiger's life story became "Rudy," a movie that inspired a generation of football underdogs.

Yesterday, it was Ruettiger who was in awe.

"It's all about attitude," Ruettiger said of University of Hawai'i graduate assistant football coach Brian Kajiyama, "and Brian has what it takes. It's about struggle. It's about overcoming adversity. Brian is 'Rudy.' "

Kajiyama, who is in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, yesterday received a $2,500 grant from UH coach June Jones' foundation for his contributions to the football program.

The grant was presented during a team meeting. Ruettiger was the guest speaker.

"Brian is an awesome guy," Ruettiger said. "He kind of stuck around, and now look at what he's done."

The movie, "Rudy," details Ruettiger's ascent from an undersized player with low grades and minimal athletic skills to a dream berth on the Notre Dame football team.

"I graduated No. 3 in my high school class ... from the bottom," Ruettiger said.

But Ruettiger said he never ceded his goal of playing for Notre Dame and, subsequently, turning his story into a movie.

"You don't choose character," Ruettiger told the Warriors. "It comes alive under adversity."

Ruettiger recalled the final game of his college career, when he was allowed to suit up. He was handed a uniform with no name on the back. He was miffed until his friend reminded him: "The name on the jersey doesn't mean anything. It's the guy in the jersey."

Jones said: "We've had our own Rudys within our own group. All of our walk-ons have been Rudys in a way. I was a Rudy in a way."

So, too, is Kajiyama, who befriended former UH safety Dee Miller in 1999. Miller asked Kajiyama to attend a practice session.

"It didn't take long for Brian to become part of the family," Jones said.

Kajiyama attended every home practice since then. In the process he earned a bachelor's degree and, two weeks ago, a master's. He also accepted Jones' offer to serve as a graduate assistant in charge of video and computer analysis.

"He made such a commitment to help us," Jones said. "His mom and dad have helped so much for eight years. They live on the Windward side. Can you imagine the commitment his family made trying to help him get his doctorate? I wanted to help in some way."

That's when Jones decided to present Kajiyama with the grant. "It's just a small gesture," Jones said.

Kajiyama said: "I'm shocked, because I really didn't do anything special. I'm extremely grateful to coach Jones and his staff for letting me be a small part of the Warrior family."

Kajiyama also said he was thrilled to meet the real-life Rudy.

"He's a great inspiration because when I'm down, that's the first DVD I pop in, and that gets me up again," Kajiyama said.

ON THE MEND

Defensive end John Fonoti said he hopes to be able to participate in today's practice.

On Sunday, Fonoti suffered injuries to his feet when he fell off a house roof he was cleaning. He suffered deep bruises. He said X-rays showed a possible hairline fracture in his left heel.

"I was cleaning the gutters, and I was wearing slippers, too," Fonoti said. "It was wet. I landed on my feet, then fell on the side."

He was on crutches Monday, "just walking on my tiptoes," he said. Yesterday he was in slippers."I'll try to get out there," Fonoti said.

Jones said: "He's walking. That's good. I think he had the best camp of all of the defensive ends."

FEELING THE PAIN

Offensive lineman Raphael Ieru said he is experiencing pain in his right knee. As a freshman in 2005, he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in that knee.

"Some of the coaches are wondering why I can't firm up," Ieru said. "It's because of knee problems. It just feels painful. I was doing my rehabs up the hill, and I was having a hard time."

He said he has felt pain in the knee since May, but declined to inform the medical staff.

NO LONGER HAMSTRUNG

Running back Mario Cox and linebacker Adam Leonard practiced. They had suffered from hamstring injuries. Linebacker Solomon Elimimian, also recovering from pulled right hamstring, participated in 9-on-7 drills for the first time in a week.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.