When the CFL announced that they would not be conducting the 2020 CFL season due to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an uneasy feeling in the air. It wasn’t quite clear what the future would hold for the league, and that feeling certainly hasn’t totally cleared.

However, there was an exciting development on Wednesday when it was revealed that the CFL and the XFL had been in talks regarding a possible merger.

The merger is a creative potential solution to two leagues that have met a fair share of struggle recently. The XFL returned in 2020 for five weeks, only to fold due to complications of the pandemic.

Nothing is set in stone yet, the two leagues are still just in the discussion process, but there’s certainly an excitement going around both parties.

Right in the centre of those two parties is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

The former professional wrestler, football player, and current A-List actor has stakes in the XFL, but he also spent time in the Calgary Stampeders camp in the CFL. While that didn’t work out, the CFL still holds a special place in his heart.

Amid all the merger discussions, The Rock shared a photo of himself in the Stampeders camp with a heartfelt caption about his relationship with the CFL.

 

 

The CFL changed my life.

When you have nothing and you’re scratching and clawing for everything you can get - all in the spirit of making your football dreams come true.

You become the hardest worker in the room.

You will not be denied.

I knew in my heart I was going to make it in the CFL - and parlay that into a very successful career in the NFL.

Maybe even win a Super Bowl...

But neither of those dreams came close to coming true.

Truth is, I just wasn’t good enough and it wasn’t my time.

The CFL sent me home.

I was still grateful to a man who would eventually become a mentor and friend, Wally Buono for even giving me the opportunity.

I had $7 bucks.

But it’s funny how sometimes life comes full circle.

Now I’m back.

Same hungry kid, but much different man.

As an owner of the XFL, our discussions with the CFL have been very exciting. There’s a real pulse here because you can feel the unique opportunity we can potentially create together.

Wherever it all leads, I can tell you this one is personal to me and is driven by all my passion - because me being cut by the CFL was the greatest thing that happened.

It set me on a path that years later would lead me right back to the league.

To help create even greater and bigger opportunities for all our players and all our fans.

As an owner who’s had his hands in the dirt - my loyalty will always lie with the players and fans.

I’ll keep you posted as our XFL/CFL discussions unfold.

Got your back.

So yes, the CFL changed my life, in ways I could’ve never imagined

(via Instagram/The Rock)