sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
The Rock Reveals He Rejected One Job Offer that Was His 'Best Decision Ever'

Home> Wrestling> WWE

Published 09:58 14 Oct 2025 GMT+1

The Rock Reveals He Rejected One Job Offer that Was His 'Best Decision Ever'

Dwayne Johnson has been a hugely successful wrestler and actor

James Taylor

James Taylor

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

The Rock has revealed that turning down his dream job as a child has ended up being the 'best decision ever'.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is one of the most recognisable names in the world, first as a wresting icon and later as a Hollywood star.

He has starred in several blockbuster franchises, including Fast & Furious, San Andreas and Moana.

And he recently returned to the big screen with The Smashing Machine, a sports biopic about wrestler Mark Kerr that was released earlier this month.

Advert

But during a recent appearance on New Heights podcast, Johnson revealed that his career could have gone in a very different direction.

He received a scholarship to the University of Miam, where he played American Football, and made 39 appearances for the team during his college career.

Dwayne Johnson. Image: Jason Mendez / Stringer via Getty
Dwayne Johnson. Image: Jason Mendez / Stringer via Getty

After he graduated, he was then signed by the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League.

But his time with the Stampeders was short-lived and he was cut just two months into the season in 1995.

Soon after, a coach reached out and offered him a return to Canada to resume his American Football career.

Johnson recalled the moment that he told his father and former professional wrestler Rocky Johnson about the offer.

"He goesL 'what did you say?' I said: 'he's offered me a job to come back'.

"He goes: 'oh that's great,' I said: Yeah, I'm not going to take it'. He goes: 'what are you talking about?' - and I said to my dad, who was a pro wrestler: 'No I don't want to do that, closing that chapter in my life'.

"He goes: 'well, what are you going to do?' I said: 'I'm going to be wrestler'. He hated the idea."

Dwayne Johnson at the Super Bowl. Image: Kevin C. Cox / Staff via Getty
Dwayne Johnson at the Super Bowl. Image: Kevin C. Cox / Staff via Getty

Despite his father's doubts, The Rock followed his instincts and decided to pursue a wrestling career.

He went on to become one of the biggest names in the WWE, wrestling full-time for eight years before he moved into acting.

He remains involved with the promotion on a part-time basis, and has made appearances this year.

But Johnson admitted that his original goal while he was growing up was to play in the NFL.

"The thing I wanted most in my life was I wanted to be in the NFL," he said.

"That was my goal. And it wound up being the best thing that actually never happened for me."

Johnson will return to the big screen again soon, teaming up with the director Benny Safdie to play a 70-year-old man known as the Chicken Man in Lizard Music.

Featured Image Credit: Manuel Velasquez / Stringer via Getty

Topics: The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, Wrestling, WWE

James Taylor
James Taylor

James is a sports journalist who specialises in football and Formula 1. He has written for publications such as The Times, MailSport, Sunday Express, Sunday Star and Manchester Evening News. Throughout his career, he has interviewed international footballers and rising Olympic stars. In his spare time, he has the misfortune of being a season ticket holder at Manchester United.

X

@James_Taylor_02

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

  • The Rock Speaks Out after Brutally 'Ignoring' Ex-NFL Star in Awkward Incident
  • The Rock Slammed by John Cena's Dad over 'No Show'
  • Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson says Taylor Swift forced him to do something he 'hates' for the first time ever
  • The Rock revealed his biggest regret in life with heart-breaking post which showed his true character

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 days ago
4 days ago
  • Jim Spellman/WireImage for Clear Channel Entertainment Television
    an hour ago

    Brooke Hogan regrets removing herself from father Hulk's $5million will before his death

    The WWE wrestler left millions behind after his death but Brooke didn't receive any of it.

    Wrestling
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Triple H almost walked out on WWE after being forced to work with 'terrible' wrestler

    Triple H has opened up about the wrestler that almost made him walk out of the WWE.

    Wrestling
  • Getty
    3 days ago

    WWE star's wife shares sex life side effect of his 300lb weight loss

    WWE star Jelly Roll has lost nearly 300lbs over the past four years ahead of his expected appearance at WrestleMania 42.

    Wrestling
  • Getty
    4 days ago

    Former WWE champion makes "ten times" wrestling salary on OnlyFans

    The former WWE star has achieved huge success on OnlyFans after exiting the professional wrestling business.

    Wrestling