Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson reveals why UFL ‘success’ is personal and admits ‘I wish I had this when I was around’

The Hollywood icon also reflected on his brief stint in the CFL

WWE legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has given an insight into his drive behind the UFL’s success.

A part owner in the new-look spring football league, formed by the merger of the XFL and the USFL, the Hollywood icon was in attendance at the season opener on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is a part owner in the new-look UFLCredit: Reuters

Pictured in 1994, Johnson (No. 94) was a defensive tackle for the University of MiamiCredit: Getty

Johnson said his drive behind the UFL’s success stemmed from his love for the game as well as his desire to help others achieve their dreamsCredit: Reuters
Shortly after kickoff between the Arlington Renegades and the Birmingham Stallions, Johnson sat down with the media, where he admitted to having invested “a lot across the board” in his spring football endeavor.

“It goes back to, I love the game of football, and I love this idea that I’m in a really lucky and fortunate position that I can help create opportunities for players to live their dreams,” he said.

Johnson simply wants to give these athletes, who have perhaps been overlooked by the NFL or are in need of a second chance, an opportunity to “ball out.”

“From a very early age, these players have the dream and have held on to the dream,” he said.

“So, many years later, I have an opportunity to stand a league up.

“In the spring, I thought we found some great success in our first season of the XFL.

“USFL found some great success too in their first two seasons.

“And I love the fact that we converged together, wanting to create one opportunity here.

“So I have dedicated so much time and passion and love to this, just as much as I did back when I was playing for the University of Miami.

“The drive was still the same, but the goals were different.

“The drive back then was to make it but the drive today is still the same. It is to make it, but it’s to make it for the league.”

Johnson added that “perhaps the most important” drive is that should the league succeed, then the players will too.

“And that’s what I keep going back to, man,” he admitted.

“Just taking care of the players and creating opportunities for them. I wish I had this when I was around.

‘I have dedicated so much time and passion and love to this, just as much as I did back when I was playing for the University of Miami,’ Johnson saidCredit: Reuters
“Instead I went to the CFL – Got my a** kicked up there, but that’s another story.”

From 1990-1994, Johnson was a star defensive tackle for the Miami Hurricanes.

He ultimately suited up for The U 39 times, racking up 77 tackles and 4.25 sacks.

“Back then, he was a broad-shouldered defensive lineman and his teammates called him ‘Dewey,'” then-head coach Dennis Erickson said, via the College Football Hall of Fame.

I love the game of football, and I love this idea that I’m in a really lucky and fortunate position that I can help create opportunities for players to live their dreams.

Dwayne Johnson
“He was often spotted walking around campus in a lava-lava skirt singing country music.”

Johnson left Miami with a National Championship under his belt, heading north of the border to the Canadian Football League as he looked to kick off his pro career.

After initially making the Calgary Stampeders’ practice squad at linebacker in 1995, he was let go after two months, as per Sporting News.