Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson explains vision for XFL reboot

The world loves football, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is bringing more of it to the world. A former defensive lineman at the University of Miami, Johnson always loved the game. Unfortunately, his career ended unceremoniously, as he never realized his dream of playing in the NFL.

Still, it all worked out for the professional wrestling and Hollywood star, as he used his work ethic learned from the sport to make an undeniable mark on both worlds. Now, the game of football is beckoning him back — Johnson is rebooting the XFL with his business partner Dany Garcia.

On Wednesday, the league owners joined ESPN’s Get Up, where Johnson and Garcia explained why they became involved with the XFL.

“I came to be involved in the XFL because I love the game of football,” started Johnson. “We love the game of football. You do, your viewers — I love the game of football.

“You know, there’s 53 men on a roster in the NFL. I always like to say I was No. 54. Who I was that player that coaches in the NFL would say, had I been drafted or had a shot in the NFL — which that dream did not come true — I’d like to say that the coaches would tell me, as they did tell me in the CFL where I eventually went — you’re good. But you need to continue to work hard to be better. And I got to tell, I would’ve loved to have played for the XFL, if the XFL was around when I was coming out of college. I would’ve loved to have played for the XFL, and especially under this new iteration of the XFL. New ownership, where we want to create a league of culture, a league of innovation.

“At the end of the day, I got involved with the XFL, became an XFL owner with Danny, to help player’s dreams come true.”

It’s evident the pressing reason Johnson got involved with the XFL is to help aspiring football stars realize the dream that he never did. Moreover, the former Miami defensive lineman spoke about the innate vision he has for the league’s future.

“I think the fans are going to see an exciting game of football. I think the fans are going to see high level, high quality football, to put a high quality product on the field,” stated Johnson. “But I also can tell you this — from a man who put his hands in the dirt, and to speak for Danny for a second, we grew up together at the University of Miami. And Danny knew me very well then, as that dream of playing in the NFL, and playing professional football didn’t happen. But it was the work ethic, and the drive that we grew up on, and I think that is going to be a reflection of this league.

“We’re business people, yes. But we’re scrappy, we’re hungry, we’re the hardest workers in the room and that’s going to be a reflection of the XFL. The XFL will also have the kind of player that is a hungry, scrappy player. 54. 54. I’ll just say that. You know, we’re excited about this. And I also think that there’s a real energy, and a real mana — as I like to say — surrounding the XFL. We got a shot here, fingers crossed.

“We have been professionalizing a great team. Obviously, you see with our coaches, who are outstanding. Our football operations, and on-top of that we’re collaborating with the NFL, partnering with the NFL to grow the game of football in terms of innovation. Things like that. Our player academy, NFL Player Academy. So we’re excited about that too. There’s a lot of things that are coming together nicely. Again, fingers crossed. We love the game of football. Let’s go ball out, and let’s give it to the fans.”

The wheels are in motion for the reboot of the XFL, as the league owners also announced the eight coaches leading the league into their 2023 return. With Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia leading the charge, it’ll be tough to hope for anything but continued success for the XFL as the league makes their return to prominence.