Miami football alum Dwayne Johnson one of Time’s 100 most influential people

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who was a member of the 1991 National Championship Miami football team has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for 2019.

Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People was broken down into five categories, Pioneers, Artists, Leaders, Icons and Titans. Former Miami football player Dwayne Johnson was listed as one of 17 artists on the list. Johnson is a movie megastar and currently the lead on the HBO Show Ballers.

Johnson became one of pop culture’s most iconic figures after being forced to retire from football due to injuries. He was replaced in the starting lineup on the Miami football team by Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp in the early 1990s. Johnson’s star grew as the Wrestler “The Rock” during the 1990s.

Johnson’s father Rocky and grandfather Peter Maivia were also professional wrestlers. After breaking into wrestling in 1995 Johnson was signed by the WWF (now WWE). Johnson made cameo appearances on various TV Shows before being cast as the Scorpion King in the Mummy Returns in 2002.

Johnson continued to wrestle before retiring in 2004 to focus on acting. He would star twice more as the Scorpion King before landing other roles that led him on the path to international stardom. Johnson was Hollywood’s second-highest earner in 2018. Johnson thanked his fans in a Tweet commemorating the cover on Time.

Gal Gadot (Wonderman), who will star with Johnson in the 2020 release Red Notice, penned a short summary of her co-star for his feature in Time. IMDB summarizes Red Notice as “An Interpol agent tracks the world’s most wanted art thief.”  Gadot and Johnson also co-starred in several of the Fast and the Furious movies.

"“There is no one in Hollywood quite like Dwayne Johnson, and certainly very few who are as busy. If you have had the pleasure to work with him, as I have on the Fast and Furious films, you know that he is full of heart and creates an environment on set filled with warmth and positivity.Dwayne is someone who believes the sky is the limit and will go above and beyond to make sure he gives 100% every single day, whether he is at the gym, working with his charity (the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation), being with his family and friends, or working on a new project.He is the true embodiment of the idea that people may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Dwayne always makes sure people feel their best when he is around.”"

In addition to all of Johnson’s success in the ring and onscreen Johnson is very philanthropic. The Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation. Johnson has made it a priority to look after underprivileged children. That has become the platform for his foundation.

"“Creates a platform of hope and possibility for children worldwide by providing programs designed to enrich and empower the lives and self-esteem of children who are hospitalized for medical disabilities, disorders and illnesses.”"

Johnson can be seen in the latest release of the Fast and the Furious Franchise, Hobbs and Shaw to be released on August 2. He will also star in the Jumanji Sequel with Kevin Hart to be released on December 13. Ballers will return for a fifth season on HBO. It is expected to premiere sometime this summer.