Dwayne Johnson shares emotional post about his father

Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson shared some emotional words after the death of his father and legendary wrestler Rocky Johnson.

The death of the 75-year-old former wrestler was announced earlier this week. In memory of his father, Dwayne posted a statement in which he described the elder Johnson as someone who “broke color barriers” and “became a ring legend.”

The actor also explained that he transformed as a young boy who adored his father to someone who respected him. He thanked Johnson, who was known as “Soul Man,” for teaching him the value of hard work and other “invaluable life lessons.”

“I was the boy sitting in the seats, watching and adoring you, my hero from afar. The boy you raised to always be proud of our cultures and proud of who and what I am.

 

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A post shared by therock (@therock) on Jun 17, 2018 at 11:23am PDT

In his message, Johnson expressed regret at not having been able to say goodbye: “Dad, I wish I had one more shot to tell you, I love you, before you crossed over to the other side.

“But you were ripped away from me so fast without warning. Gone in an instant and no coming back. I’m in pain. But we both know it’s just pain and it’ll pass.”

Dwayne Johnson, who inducted his father into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008, went on to honour his father’s life.

“You lived a very full, very hard, barrier breaking life and left it all in the ring,” the Fast and Furious franchise star wrote in part. “I love you dad and I’ll always be your proud and grateful son. Go rest high.”

 

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Actor and comedian Kevin Hart, who starred alongside the Rock in the Jumanji films, had a sweet reaction to his friend’s message: “Love you bro.”

Actor D.L. Hughley said it was a “beautiful sentiment.” He added, “My sincerest condolences brother.” Chris Tucker sent his sympathies as well: “Praying for you and your family.”

Given Rocky Johnson’s immense importance to the wrestling world, many people from that community shared kind words, too, upon the news of his death.

Among other accomplishments, the late Johnson was one half of the first African-American duo to win WWE’s World Tag Team Championship. He also, of course, trained his now famous son for the ring and beyond.

 

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I love you. You broke color barriers, became a ring legend and trail blazed your way thru this world. I was the boy sitting in the seats, watching and adoring you, my hero from afar. The boy you raised to always be proud of our cultures and proud of who and what I am. The boy you raised with the toughest of love. The intense work. The hard hand. The adoring boy who wanted to know only your best qualities. Who then grew to become a man realizing you had other deeply complicated sides that needed to be held and understood. Son to father. Man to man. That’s when my adoration turned to respect. And my empathy turned to gratitude. Grateful that you gave me life. Grateful you gave me life’s invaluable lessons. Dad, I wish I had one more shot to tell you, I love you, before you crossed over to the other side. But you were ripped away from me so fast without warning. Gone in an instant and no coming back. Im in pain. But we both know it’s just pain and it’ll pass. Now I’ll carry your mana and work ethic with me, as it’s time to move on because I have my family to feed and work to accomplish. Finally, I want you to rest your trailblazing soul, Soulman. Pain free, regret free, satisfied and at ease. You lived a very full, very hard, barrier breaking life and left it all in the ring. I love you dad and I’ll always be your proud and grateful son. Go rest high. #ripsoulman #rockyjohnson 🐐

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Jan 17, 2020 at 8:01am PST