Began learning basic wrestling moves from his father, professional wrestler Rocky Johnson, at age 6.
Started out as a football player in college, playing defensive tackle for the University of Miami.
Briefly played for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League in 1995.
Returned home to Miami after his football stint ended and, with the help of his father, worked to get his start in professional wrestling.
Although his early good-guy wrestling persona, Rocky Maivia, was a flop, he eventually became known as The Rock and grew to become one of the most popular wrestlers of all time.