Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has risen to be one of the top leading men in Hollywood after a successful career as a professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment.
But long before starring as the hero in action movies or showing off his versatility and voice talents in comedies and cartoons, all of which made him the second-highest paid actor in Hollywood in 2017, according to Forbes, Johnson dealt with something far more serious, mental health struggles that stemmed from an unceremonious end to his professional football career.
Johnson detailed his battle with depression in an interview with Express in England.
A standout defensive lineman for the University of Miami (Florida) Hurricanes, Johnson pursued a career with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, but an unsuccessful transition from defensive lineman to linebacker resulted in his release from the practice squad before the end of the season.
“I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere,” Johnson said in the interview. “I was crying constantly.”
The interview with Express was the latest time Johnson has spoken out on the importance of mental health.
While addressing a scene from an upcoming episode of “Ballers” on his Instagram page earlier this year, Johnson, a father of two with a third child on the way, discussed a real-life incident involving his mother, Ata.
“Not your typical scene on our comedy #ballers, as I cracked a beer open toasting my character’s brother, William who committed suicide,” Johnson posted. “Got me thinkin’ though bout how many of us have been affected by suicide of our friends, family. Struggle and pain is real. We’ve all been there on some level or another.
“My mom tried to check out when I was 15. She got outta the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars swerving outta the way not to hit her. I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road.
“What’s crazy about that suicide attempt is to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn’t.”
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Initially, the eight-time WWF/WWE Champion and two-time WCW/World Champion balked at the storyline, but Johnson understands now the importance of speaking out for the benefit of others.
“We always gotta do our best to really pay attention when people are in pain,” Johnson said. “Help ‘em thru it, get ‘em talkin’ about the struggle and remind ‘em that they’re not alone. We got lucky that day when I was 15 and that ain’t always the case.”
