Rudy Nutrition, a manufacturer of health-conscious branded products that offer great taste as well as healthy choices, announced yesterday that four-time Super Bowl champion and former San Francisco 49ers pro-bowl offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu has joined the Rudy Beverage team as a celebrity endorser. Jesse will be making personal appearances and will be featured in marketing and promotional materials and advertising campaigns on behalf of Rudy Beverage.
He is known throughout the NFL as a true gentleman and an ironman, but it is his inspiring story that truly exemplifies the Rudy Beverage “Dream Big, Never Quit” philosophy. Jesse, who suffers from a heart condition, was first banned from playing sports by his doctors at a young age. He didn’t let that stop him and continued to chase his dream, eventually becoming a professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers.
In late 1996, while playing with the 49ers, Jesse’s heart condition worsened and his doctors recommended that Jesse choose one of two options: undergo a relatively new surgery called the Ross procedure, or retire. Jesse was not the type to quit. In fact, he has been quoted as saying, “When I played, the biggest thing we had was the belief inside our heads that we would be able to overcome anything”. Jesse chose to have the procedure, and the very next fall Jesse hit the field with the 49ers to become the first player in NFL history to undergo open-heart surgery and continue on to a successful career, including four Super Bowl rings, several Pro Bowl invitations, and 12 division titles while playing 15 seasons for the 49ers.
Executive Vice-President of Sales Ron Scharf commented: “His inspirational story of success makes him a perfect fit for the Rudy team to help us gain exposure and drive sales, particularly in Northern California and throughout the Pacific.”
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, founder and chairman of Rudy Nutrition, commented: “Jesse Sapolu has the heart of a champion and we are proud to welcome him as the newest spokesperson for the beverage.”
Jesse is not the only celebrity that will endorse the Rudy philosophy, as the company is hoping to make more announcements like this one in the coming weeks about other nationally recognized and respected sports personalities who embody the Rudy message of “Dream Big. Never Quit.”
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