PROVO, Utah – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is best known for his successful acting and WWE careers. But once upon a time there was a college football player at the University of Miami during the hurricanes zenith.
The Rock has just completed the first season of its television sitcom on NBC entitled “Young Rock”. He is the executive producer on the show. In 1990, the show plunged into the first year of The Rock in Miami in the fourth episode, titled “Check Your Head,” of the 11 episode season.
Johnson, once an heralded recruit from Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, signed with the Canes, in large part due to the relationship he had forged with Ed Orgeron. Yes, the current LSU head coach. Orgeron was the defensive line coach for the Hurricanes during their glorious years.
The Rock was part of the 1990 Miami team that lost to BYU.
The following is a scene where Orgeron talks to Miami players, including Johnson, about the 1990 kick-off at BYU.
“Saturday is our season opener against BYU. These Utah guys love to toss those pretty passports. Play this game of finesse. What do we like to do? “Asked the actor who plays Orgeron.
All the Miami players exclaimed, “Punch them in the mouth!”
As you all know, BYU navigated the city defending National Champions on the rare Hurricane watch to Provo. BYU, led by QB Ty Detmer, who was awarded the Heisman Trophy, defeated the No. 1 Hurricanes, 28-21. In a game still considered the greatest win in BYU football history.
Ty Detmer was “hit in the mouth”, but won
Ty Detmer saw the “Young Rock” clip on social media and responded with a picture showing he was “hit in the mouth” during the 1990 classic.
Still one of my favorite pictures that I have! “Punch in your mouth” lol pic.twitter.com/6WaEorq2sa
– Ty Detmer (@ TyDetmer14) May 14, 2021
The Rock didn’t play in Provo in 1990. He suffered an injury at the end of the season a few days before the season opener against the Cougs. Johnson played with Miami for the next four years before founding a media empire as a wrestler and now an entertainment icon.
You can watch “Young Rock” episodes on-demand on NBC.com.
Mitch Harper is BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and moderator of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12pm to 3pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
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