And beyond that, it would be an opportunity to make a real impact on people's lives on a global scale. Johnson had his eyes on becoming a real-life crime-buster, hoping to work for the Central Intelligence Agency but a legal hurdle got in the way. Few people have had as rock-solid of a career in so many realms as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I can't deny that the thought of being governor, the thought of being president, is alluring, he told GQ in 2016. After winning a few championships and forming a group named, The Nation of Domination, Dwayne started referring to himself as The Rock instead of his debut ring name Rocky Maivia. Excited to create something special for the fans! Dwayne Johnson, XFL & The Story of Jersey No. Revisiting Dwayne Johnson's NFL, CFL and college playing career, What is the XFL? In St. Louis, the Battlehawks quickly reached hallowed levels. Speaking to the Axios audience, Cardinale said he is convinced there is a space for spring football, despite all the previous failed attempts. All of this has helped him top Forbes list of highest-paid actors two years in a row, with an estimate of $87.5 million in 2020. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images). McMahon spent $200 million of his own capital to revive the XFL in 2018. Vince McMahon shut down the XFL 3 years ago after reportedly burning through $200M. "It is a privilege to partner with Dany and Dwayne on the acquisition of the XFL," said Gerry Cardinale, Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital. He recorded 77 tackles and 4.25 sacks. "Takes less money signing with us over the NFL because he wanted his little boys to see him play," Johnson said of McCarron in a tweet earlier Friday morning. Try a week on us. Johnson was primarily a reserve during his Miami career, recording 77 tackles and four sacks in four seasons. With a broadcasting deal with ESPN and the deep pockets of RedBird, which is a prodigious sports investor with investments in Fenway Sports, Wasserman Media and ownership of two European soccer clubs, there is no reason to think the league will suffer the same fate as its predecessors and last a season or less. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Three teams the Houston Roughnecks, the DC Defenders, and the Battlehawks fully keep the moniker from the 2020 league. I've got my ticket, he told the magazine. The second iteration of founder Vince McMahon's spring league lasted five weeks of play. #10 of the St. Louis Battlehawks, scrambles against the San Antonio Brahamas at the Alamodome on Feb. 19, 2023 in San Antonio. Johnson was a college football player. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images). After St. Louis win over Seattle, McCarron revealed that he could have remained in the NFL as a backup quarterback for better pay, but he decided to go to the XFL for a chance to start. Initially, McMahon's XFL was optimistic that it would be able to return for a full season in 2021 and it kept its full-time employees on payroll. As of August 2022, the league was looking for additional investors to join the team. AJs decision means a helluva lot to me, personally.". Heres what you need to know: The wait is finally over! Along the way, he had to make bold choices and get rid of people that werent on the same page. The rapper is a vocal supporter of the Green Bay Packers and has been since he was a teenager. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM, A. J. McCarron, #5 of the Atlanta Falcons, looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 13, 2021 in Atlanta. This will save the Bucs $9.9M in cap space. But Dwayne Johnson & his partners purchased the assets for $15M out of bankruptcy, and the league officially returns today. The transaction is subject to bankruptcy court approval at a hearing this Friday, Aug. 7 and, assuming that closing conditions are satisfied, is expected to close on or shortly after Aug. 21. #MicDropBoom #NewSelfieKing. (The record was later broken in 2016 by Donnie Wahlberg and again in 2018 by a man named James Smith. The pair have provided regular updates about the XFL's relaunch since 2020, originally planning for a 2022 return before pushing that date to 2023. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. NFL Game Highlights Presented By Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson details the future of XFL Actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock" Johnson details the future of XFL on Wild. "Don't cheat yourself, treat yourself," is the wrestler-turned-actor's infamous motto and his latest Instagram video . I was really nervous, he said, making his first major role in The Scorpion King in 2002. He writes primarily for the NFL vertical but also contributes stories in other sports. He is widely considered one of the most successful professional wrestlers in the world with his eight-year stint with the WWE. Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Auli'i Cravalho, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements Fighting With My Family (2019) 93% #2 Critics Consensus: Much like the sport it. In fact, back in 2017, he said, I would consider a presidential run in the future if that's what the people wanted. Other teams are: the San Antonio Brahmas, Orlando Guardians, Vegas Vipers and Seattle Sea Dragons. Legal Statement. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are using cookies to provide the best experience on our website. His popularity as a wrestler helped him a lot in gaining success as an actor. My criminal justice professor and advisor (Dr. Paul Cromwell) convinced me that the best operative I could become for the agency is one that also had a law degree, Johnson posted on Instagram in 2018. When you think of Dwayne Johnson's football career, think of Kwame Brown's basketball career. The teams have local business operations but do not need to sustain the costs of training facilities and a big headquarters. Can the XFL break that trend and stick around? Then, this past Thursday, the Dragons took a late 18-17 lead on a touchdown pass from former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci to wide receiver Jordan Veasey and a successful three-point conversion. In 1991, he was on the University of Miami's national championship team. In fact, he's better known as an actor, wrestler, businessman and philanthropist than a football player. He sat out for 2021 and 2022 before signing with the XFL. It really is and I absolutely love it but I love playing.This is special and I can't thank the XFL enough.". While they were on Interstate-75, Johnson wondered how much he had to his name. In his personal life, Dwayne The Rock Johnson married Dany Garcia in 1997 and couples first child was born in 2001. He had impressed everyone with his performance while playing football at the University of Miami but unfortunately or we can say that luckily a back injury cost him a place in National Football League (NFL) and Dwayne then turned his attention towards wrestling. If the XFL serves that role, so be it. "It is the confluence of great passion, tradition and possibility. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Now, Johnson is operating a league that could give former college football standouts and NFL role players a second chance. (soft launch) Air Force Falcons. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. That team will play at Lumen Field. McCarron for choosing his league over the NFL. MORE:Watch XFL games live with fuboTV (free trial)| Subscribe to ESPN+. Johnson has made much of his money from acting - his films have grossed an estimated $10.5 billion worldwide - but he made his name as a professional wrestler after a brief football career at the University of Miami. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Miami Dolphins fans probably got a bit excited if they were on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Instagram account Tuesday morning. What is Dwayne Johnson's favorite sport? He also played a retired NFL player who eventually . Dwayne Johnsons father and father-in-law were also wrestlers. In 2003, Johnson took a trip to Hawaii to get his family heritage inked on his body by a Tahitian tattoo artist Pooini Yrondi, Before getting started, Johnson and Yrondi chatted for hours and said a prayer. McCarron spent four seasons with the Bengals, earning three starts, all of which occurred in the 2015 season, and picked up two wins. That gave him a reality check. In the wrestling world, he was dubbed "The Great One" and "The Peoples Champion" and in the film world, his movies have brought in at least $10 billion worldwide. Portraying the XFL as a needed developmental league for the NFL would undoubtedly come as news to the NFL. I'm enjoying this, and it's a great way to create some memories for me and my boys.". Its no wonder the 6-foot-4, 277 pound Johnson himself says hes had a wildly Forrest Gump-ian life." Following some initial success, ratings plummeted and the league folded after one season (remember He Hate Me?). McMahon formed a partnership with Dick Ebersol and NBC in 2001, which was. Similarly, the Vipers name relocated from Tampa Bay to the now Vegas Vipers. The new XFL, the third iteration, is releasing its eight-team names and logos, four months before the scheduled Feb. 18, 2023 kickoff. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver (and to a new $245 million contract) only after, according to a bombshell report this morning from The. All the logos received modest to significant changes. AJ McCarron is now throwing footballs in the rebooted XFL spring league, and while some might look at it as a step backward, the quarterback sees it as a huge opportunity for him and his sons on a personal level. End of story. But he did graduate from the University of Miami with a bachelor of general studies in criminology and physiology. After the game, an emotional McCarron spoke about his decision to take a spot in the XFL over a chance to make more money by continuing his career as a backup in the NFL. "Dewey," as his teammates in college called him, attended the University of Miami from 1991 to 1994 . There are two teams at the top of the North division, one of them being the St. Louis Battlehawks with a 2-0 record. I missed playing. A high school cheerleader from Nebraska has inspired people everywhere by competing solo in a state competition after her three teammates quit just days . With the Carson Wentz era over in Washington, Commanders GM Martin Mayhew says while Sam Howell will have an opportunity to be QB1, the team, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy feels reinvigorated after taking over play-calling duties, calling it "the most fun I've had since I've been in Dallas.". Can the XFL and USFL coexist or is a merger in the offing? Joe: Retaliation, Faster and Fast & Furious 6. Many spring leagues have tried to establish themselves as a long-term piece of the sports calendar, but just about all have failed. "The Rock" did have a football career of his own, though, long before he became a global superstar. McCarron says he passed on being a backup in the NFL so his sons could watch him play. Unable to see any considerable playing time, Johnson went undrafted. My 6-year-old loves watching tape of me on YouTube. Johnson only played two years as a defensive tackle at Freedom High School in Pennsylvania, but that was enough to earn him serious interest from major college football programs. He was just one piece of the $15 million purchase of the XFL, so the league is a low-risk investment for him as he tries to add to his impressive list of career accomplishments. With gratitude & passion Ive built a career with my own two hands and will apply these callouses to our @xfl2020 brand. Dwayne Johnson of the University of Miami Hurricanes runs upfield to make the stop at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, 1992, 10 Things You May Not Know About Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Photo: Art Streiber/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images, Photo: Miami/Collegiate Images via Getty Images, Doctors: No Further Hope for Actor Tom Sizemore, Television Critics Association virtual conference, first third-generation wrestler in the WWE, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. This earned special praise from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who was part of a group that purchased the XFL for $15 million in 2020 and revived the league. Johnson played football at . The XFL filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy April 13, about a month after its 2020 season was shuttered because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the season, he talked more about his decision to move to the XFL, saying it was driven in part by his wanting his three sons to be able to see him play instead of just standing on an NFL sideline. California is playing host to the Super Bowl 2022 game between Los Angeles Rams and . But a lead that is who we are isnt right.. Some of his most notable films are The Scorpion King, G.I. One of the XFLs owners is former professional wrestler turned actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson, who heaped praise on McCarron and said his decision to play in his league over the NFL means a helluva lot to him. This season, McCarron completed 40-of-62 pass attempts for 374 yards, and three touchdowns. After his collegiate career came to an end, he declared for the NFL Draft, where he was selected in the fifth-round by the Cincinnati Bengals. NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 28, 2023. But since the NFL shuttered NFL Europe in 2007 it has resisted creating another developmental league. The season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there just wasn't enough funding to sustain the league without any revenue. Market data provided by Factset. Now that Tom Brady has officially retired and he's taking a year off before launching his Fox Sports broadcasting career, the rumors about the former NFL star are flying around. I miss playing, not always just being a backup and thats a great living. Johnson dedicated his Hollywood Critics Associations Trailblazer Award in 2021 to his father, saying, As complicated as our relationship was he was a real trailblazer because what trailblazers do is they change people's behavior. AP. "The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that's rooted deeply in two things -- my passion for the game and my desire to always take care of the fans," Johnson said in a statement. Teams, rosters, schedule, rules & more to know about 2023 football league. NFL. The answer starts at the top. "I probably could've tried to come back with an NFL team and had a chance to probably made bigger money, but no one knows what the future holds. If you don't receive an email, please check your spam or Promotions Tab and "move us" to your primary inbox! Listen to the latest from Cards Wire's Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. In its bankruptcy filing from April, Alpha Entertainment listed the league's assets and liabilities in the range of about $10 million to $50 million. All Rights Reserved. As of the sliding doors moment, he added: Ill always raise a glass to the dreams that dont come true because sometimes theyre the best thing that never happened., Having checked off so many fields, could Johnson eventually move into the world of politics? Please logout and login again. They loved it and now fully expect me to deliver a room full of chocolate and candy, he said. An injury ended his college football career, so he entered the ring with the WWE. Id say hes creating some memories for his boys. XFL owner Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shouted out former Alabama quarterback A.J. Since making his debut, The Rock has changed from face to heel and heel to face on several occasions. View the most current football statistics for Dwayne Johnson, Defensive Back, for the at The Football Database 5 Rate. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. The XFL does have an agreement with the NFL to work on new rules and officiating. There is the rival Fox Sports-owed USFL, which will begin its second season in April 2023, testing the appetite for minor league football. The only completely new name is the San Antonio Brahmas (referring to the type of cattle and not the Hindu god). 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