Dwayne Johnson's football career: A look at The Rock's NFL journey
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a popular figure in the entertainment industry and one of the best-paid Hollywood actors. The American celebrity also enjoyed a staggering career in the WWE, but before that, he played American football in college. However, Dwayne Johnson's football career was shortlived following a tragic injury.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Johnson began in his early years as a high school football player. He was an outstanding athlete and a prospective star; little did he know his future lay elsewhere. The talented actor used his football failures to transform his destiny into one of WWE's and Hollywood's greatest.
Profile summary
| Full name | Dwayne Douglas Johnson |
| Nickname | The Rock |
| Date of birth | 2 May 1972 |
| Age | 52 (as of July 2024) |
| Birthplace | Hayward, California, United States |
| Height | 1.96 m (6' 5") |
| Weight | 118kg |
| Education | University of Miami |
| Profession | Actor, businessman, wrestler |
| Parents | Rocky Johnson and Ata Johnson |
| Siblings | Seven half-siblings |
| Spouse | Lauren Hashian |
| Child | Ava Raine |
| Net worth | $800 million |
| Social media | Instagram Facebook X (Twitter) |
Dwayne Johnson's football career
The Rock was born on 2 May 1972 in Hayward, California, where he grew up. He completed his high school studies at Freedom High in Bethlehem, where his exceptional football career began.
Source: Original
Where did The Rock play football?
The actor started playing football in junior high school at Freedom High. He had an imposing figure and body ideal for the sport. Pro Football Network revealed that Dwayne's height was 6'4" and weighed 230 pounds at the time.
Did Dwayne Johnson play college football?
Johnson had an impressive high school football career and received numerous scholarship offers, including from Penn State, UCLA, Clemson, and Florida State. He chose the University of Miami, which had one of the greatest college teams of all time in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The Rock was a freshman on the historic team, which won the 1991 National Championship. However, he sustained a shoulder injury and was replaced by Warren Sapp, who later became one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.
Source: UGC
Did Dwayne Johnson play in the NFL?
The WWE superstar lost his position in the team to Sapp, who relegated him to a substitute player. Dwayne's poor form left him undrafted, and he never played in the NFL. After graduation, he joined the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a linebacker.
Johnson graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of General Studies in Criminology and Physiology. The hopes of redeeming his career at Calgary Stampeders further diminished following a series of injuries. The team eventually cut him from its roster two months into the season.
How long did Dwayne Johnson play football?
The Hollywood actor spent nearly two years playing football at Freedom High. Dwayne Johnson's Miami Hurricanes career lasted four years (1991-1995).
Source: Getty Images
Dwayne Johnson's football stats
In his four years at the University of Miami, Dwayne played 39 games with one start, recording 77 tackles and 4.25 sacks.
Did The Rock quit football?
After failing to redeem his football career, The Rock decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling, following his father's footsteps. He would later venture into the entertainment world. In an interview with Forbes in June 2023, Johnson said,
Football was my dream. The NFL was my thing. I was going to buy my parents their first house. Football didn’t end on my terms.
Source: Getty Images
Frequently asked questions
Although Dwayne Johnson's NFL dreams collapsed over two decades ago, he has constantly been an American football fan. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about one of the best Hollywood actors.
Who is The Rock's favorite NFL team?
The actor revealed he once dreamt of winning the Super Bowl with his favourite team, the New York Giants. In December 2019, the Giants Wire shared a short video from X(Twitter), where Dwayne declared his love for the Giants while promoting his movie, Jumanji.
Did Dwayne Johnson play football with Ray Lewis?
Johnson and Lewis were teammates at Miami Hurricanes. In an interview published on the Baltimore Ravens' website, the actor explained his first interaction with the NFL legend.
Ray Lewis came in as a freshman. Our starting middle linebacker who you guys know, Michael Barrow, a great Giants linebacker. He got hurt. We were playing Colorado.
Ray Lewis finished the game, played two quarters, and he finished the game with 18 tackles. He never lost the starting job and went on to become, of course, the greatest of all-time.
Does Dwayne Johnson own a football team?
The actor does not own a football team but is a co-owner of an XFL, a professional American football minor league.
Source: Getty Images
In August 2020, ESPN reported that he teamed up with his ex-wife, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners to purchase the XFL for $15 million from its founder, Vince McMahon. In December 2024, XFL and USFL merged to form the United Football League.
What is the movie about The Rock and football?
Johnson starred in an American sports family comedy, The Game Plan (2007), directed by Andy Fickman. He plays an NFL quarterback living the bachelor lifestyle with his 8-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
How much is Dwayne Johnson worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Dwayne's estimated wealth is $800 million as of 2024. He reportedly has a 30-40% stake in Teremana Tequila, a liquor brand valued at around $2 billion. Dwayne established himself as one of the highest-paid WWE wrestlers.
Dwayne Johnson's football journey and how he switched careers has inspired many. Despite failing in his dream sport, the celebrity pursued a different path, bringing him success in WWE and Hollywood.
READ ALSO: Shaq's businesses: What companies does he own today?
Briefly published details of Shaquille O'Neal's businesses and how his ventures have earned him millions. The legendary NBA star had an outstanding basketball career before transitioning to entrepreneurship after retiring. Follow the above link to discover his businesses, from the food industry to sports and technology.
Source: Briefly News
