Rocky Johnson on Bullying, Believing in Yourself and Training The Rock

Fred: Fred Richani here for The Sports Courier with WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson. How are you doing, sir?

Rocky Johnson: I’m doing fine, thank you.

Fred: What brings you here today?

Rocky Johnson: It’s very simple: bullying. I believe in this cause, because I see a lot of bullying every day in my travels all over the country, and I believe it has to stop. But I also believe the parents have to start at home and let their kids know they’re just as good as any other kid and don’t need to be bullied and pushed around. My philosophy has always been ABC: Anybody can, if they want to. I’m here to help these kids.

Fred: You’re definitely an inspiration: a former boxer, a WWE Hall of Famer and, I believe, part of the first African American WWF tag team champions. Wrestling has really started to hammer down on bullying.

Rocky Johnson: When I was growing up, I was bullied. I have seven brothers, and as small as I was, I was bullied. But I believed in myself, and I believed I could do what anybody else can do, and that took me where I went. I’m not saying you have to be an athlete or a heavyweight champion of the world. You can be into computers or into anything. Believe in yourself, because anybody can. That’s what I want to drill into these kids’ heads.

Fred: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is also an inspiration. What are your thoughts on what he’s been able to do?

Rocky Johnson: At first, he didn’t really want to get into wrestling. Then he wanted to, and I tried to discourage him, because I didn’t want him to go through the racial prejudice I dealt with in my day. I told him I would train him, and that within two years he’d be a champion. Within two years, he was WWF Heavyweight Champion. My son is no different from anybody else’s son, so if he can do it, anybody can do it if they want to.

Fred: Sir, it’s a pleasure. Thank you so much.