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Despite Being in His Heart, Dwayne Johnson Reveals Big Reason to Choose NFL Over Wrestling, Years Before the Same Sport Saved His Life

Published Jun 22, 2023 | 11:30 AM EDT

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Dwayne Johnson has faced lots of struggles to earn his position. The Rock’s childhood was filled with numerous challenges and struggles for financial security. Johnson has always been emotional whenever he speaks about family security and struggle. Johnson, before following his passion for wrestling, was a football player. Fans are aware of his love for football.

Dwayne Johnson used to play football before he shifted his passion back to wrestling. During an interview, The Rock shared the story behind choosing football over wrestling.

Dwayne Johnson reveals why he joined NFL and not wrestling

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Dwayne Johnson, in Pivot Podcast, talked about various aspects of his journey. The highlights of the interview were his thoughts on being a dad to his girls, the future of XFL, and wrestling.

Speaking about wrestling and how he started his career, Johnson had some interesting stories. He shared he first stepped into NFL despite having a passion for wrestling.

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Stating the reason, he said, “So as I was growing up I loved wrestling but I wanted to make money. And I wanted to make a lot of money to take care of my family like I didn’t want we never lived in a house so my goal was I want to buy my parents their first house. How can I do it? I started playing football that’s my ticket so wrestling was always there in my heart. But I never looked at it like oh I could take care of my family for it.”

Johnson stated that his father, the legendary wrestler Rocky Johnson, was also negative about him joining the business. He continued, “Because I and also too my dad would say you don’t want to get in this business look at me I don’t have anything, yeah, so once I got cut from football got sent back home to Tampa move back in with my parents uh had seven bucks in my pocket.”

Growing up, Rock was highly passionate about wrestling. He said, “Wrestling was in my heart.” But as his family did not have a house and stable finances, he thought that football might bring in some money.

Read more: Amidst His Own $60 Million Misery, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Celebrates Success of Actor Worth Five Times Lesser Than Him

However, no one can stop a star from shining through. As Johnson was kicked out of football, he ultimately followed his deepest desire to wrestle and succeeded and gave his parents the life he wished for.

The nice- guy-Johnson buys a home for his father

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Dwayne Johnson continues to amaze his fans, and his gestures win their hearts. Everyone is aware of the Rock’s compassion for his family.

He bought a brand new home for his dad in 2019. This was one of the happiest moments of the Rock’s life when he bought a brand new house. Rock has unconditional love for his parents, and he has his own way of showing it. Johnson misses his father and often talks about their bond.

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Rock believes that wrestling saved him. His life would have been different if it were not wrestling. Johnson’s journey is incredible. His honesty and dedication to his fans and family have made him a more famous and cherished personality.

Watch this story: 50 Years of The Rock: Dwayne Johnson’s Greatest Achievements in WWE

Written by:

Gayatri Sudame

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Gayatri Sudame is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports and has three years of experience in content writing and journalism. She has been following WWE from an early age though her career path took her in a different direction she has found her way back to the sport she loved growing up. As an experienced writer, she has a keen eye for detail which reflects in her work.
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Edited by:

Sherjeel Malik