Oklahoma State ready to unveil its own Rudy

There are only a few things that can make me cry.

That time I kicked a wasp's nest, the series finale of Seinfeld, The Notebook (physical pain from watching the worst movie ever made), getting kicked in the groin and Rudy. Rudy always does it.

If you have never seen the movie Rudy, you should probably be denied American citizenship. As one of the most classic sports films of all time, it tells the story of Rudy Ruettiger, an average guy with an above average dream of one day playing for the Notre Dame football team as an athlete without a scholarship — as a walk-on. With the help of some unlikely outsiders, Rudy finally gets in the game, rides off into the sunset on his teammates shoulders and makes cinematic history. But you should already know this.

Rudy's story is based on a real one, but his is also not an isolated incident. The walk-on has been a vital part of college football for decades. And with the Oklahoma State Cowboys football season opener kicking off in just three days, there is another Rudy to cheer for.

Colton Chelf is an Oklahoman. As a wide receiver at Enid High School, he didn't garner the attention of Division I schools, but put up consistent numbers, earning him a spot in the All-State football game as a senior. In 2008, as a junior college sophomore at Northeast Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Chelf led the Norseman in receiving with 561 yards. Then, he took a leap of faith, joining the Cowboys last January.

"I came in as a walk-on," Chelf said. "First, I had to get recognized, do everything right and work my butt off."

As a football player, Chelf lacks the high-maintenance attitude that plagues many wideouts in both college and the pros. But that is in essence the mindset of the walk-on. There are no full-rides, no hype, no drama — just football. The way it is supposed to be played. Chelf has earned his way to this point with good old-fashioned work ethic.

In Dana Holgorsen's high-flying offense, Chelf will find a place somewhere. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, he fits the prototype for the dependable inside receiver in the spread.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden said that throughout camp, Chelf dropped maybe two passes. Impressive. But what is more impressive is how Chelf got here and what he has the opportunity to do at the Division I level. You could see the excitement of game day approaching all over his face.

"I've been waiting for this my whole life," Chelf said. "I'm ready."

Shoot, makes me want to throw on the pads and relive my own junior high football glory. Nah, I'll stick to watching movies. No need to add anything to the list.