The lights beaming down on Generoso “Jerry” Rullo ’26 felt shockingly bright at Notre Dame Stadium at the end of the Florida State game in 2024. Even though Notre Dame was ahead by more than 40 points, Rullo, a walk-on linebacker taking his position on the iconic football field for the first time, felt a twinge of fear as he faced off against a lineman.
“He looked really big in person, more than you’d think,” said Rullo. The surreal scene briefly reminded him of controlling a player in an EA Sports’ Madden NFL video game.
“I kind of instinctively tuned it out,” he said, thinking back to his training. “Once your instincts kick in, you know, you go where you need to go.”