A day after being inducted into the Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor, former Miami football National Championship Head Coach Jimmy Johnson was visited on the Fox Sunday set by Hollywood legend Dwayne Johnson who was a Hurricanes' defensive tackle from 1990 through 1994.
Dwayne Johnson surprised Jimmy on the NFL Fox Sunday Set. At the Ring of Honor ceremony on Saturday night during halftime of the game between the Cowboys and Detroit Lions, Pro Football Hall of Famer and another Hurricanes legend, wide receiver Michael Irvin was part of the festivities.
Dwayne Johnson missed playing for Jimmy Johnson by two seasons. Jimmy Johnson left for the Cowboys after leading Miami to a 52-9 record and one National Championship in five seasons. Dwayne Johnson was a part of the 1991 Miami National Championship team under Dennis Erickson.
Johnson played behind Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp at Miami. In recent years, Johnson has supported Miami. Johnson gave a shout out to the Hurricanes before they crushed Notre Dame 41-8 during the 2017 season. Johnson was unable to be there as he was filming a movie in Canada.
🥹 @TheRock dropped by with some heartfelt words for @JimmyJohnson and a special gift at the end 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/Zu2zeBF2JP
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 31, 2023
""That's why I had to come out coach and say number one congratulations to you, I'm so happy, I'm so proud. But I had to take a moment just to let you know, how influential you've been to my life. When I was getting in trouble at 15 years old, getting arrested, my football coach said you come play football. I committed to the game of football. There was one team in the country that got my attention and it was the University of Miami and there was one man that got my attention and that was you. You took Miami to new heights of greatness. You had some of the best defensive linemen...I told myself that I am going to earn a football scholarship to Miami and I am going to play football for coach Jimmy Johnson. My Senior year you turned the page and went to the Cowboys. I had one decision to make, go to University of Miami or go to Clemson. I said I am going to go to Miami to continue Jimmy Johnson's legacy. So coach I wanted to tell you when I was 18 I was going to give you this. This is my Letter of Intent to play for you...If you ever decide to coach again it will be an honor. "Dwayne Johnson
Johnson had 77 tackles and 4.25 sacks in 39 games during his Miami career per the College Football Hall of Fame. Former LSU National Championship Head Coach Ed Orgeron was Johnson's position coach at Miami. The championship era Miami alumni endure over 30 years after the original dynasty ended.
Dwayne Johnson got back into football in 2020. Johnson, his ex-wife Dany Garcia and their partner Gerry Cardinale bought the XFL for $15 million. The XFL merged with the USFL during the offseason to become the UFL. The UFL will begin the 2024 season on March 30. Three XFL teams will compete in the UFL.