Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson admitted to using anabolic steroids in an interview with MTV Movies Editor Josh Horowitz. The former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar admitted using anabolic steroids along with his friends around the time he played collegiate football as a defensive tackle for the 1991 NCAA Division I-A national champion Miami Hurricanes. The admission of steroid use has almost become a rite of passage for athletes and entertainers with very muscular physiques during the contemporary era of steroid hysteria. The personable Johnson had fun with the admission in an entertaining discussion of steroid use with MTV News; the revelation of steroid use happened while promoting his latest Disney movie “Race to Witch Mountain” in the back of a New York City yellow cab (“Dwayne Johnson Admits To Steroid Use Years Ago,” March 12).
Horowitz: Another thing that is going on right now all over the culture, particular sports… I’m a Yankees fan, this whole A-Rod thing is bumming me out, the injury and this steroid stuff. You must have an interesting perspective on this coming from professional wrestling where steroid use is something that is out there. What is your perspective on what you are seeing with A-Rod and
The Rock: I think what’s happening is that we have to realize that a culture was created and it’s not as prevalent today in our sports as it was 10 years ago. But we have to recognize that a culture was created where it was OK to do that, and a lot of team managers, owners, players who didn’t do it would turn the other cheek. We recognize that, and now we have to institute stronger penalties, which we are doing. And A-Rod is an example of a lot of guys – and women, for that matter – of that era in all athletics.
I also believe in education. It’s a bad example that you set for kids, and at the same time it’s a good example for kids to follow, not in terms of the use, but in terms of the repercussions of what can happen because there is no substitute for hard work. None.
Horowitz: Were you tempted back in the day? I have to ask.
The Rock: Well, you know… I tried it. Me and my buddies tried it back in the day when I was 18 or 19. Didn’t know what we were doing… You remember those days?Horowitz: Obviously. I’m still on them!
The Rock: They’re working!
Horowitz: They’re not taking.
The Rock: They’re not taking for some reason.
Horowitz: I think I’m taking the wrong ones, frankly. If you could hook a guy up?
The Rock: You were taking the muscle softeners. Look, you have to take the muscle builders.
Horowitz: I take it from Duncan Hines. It’s delicious.
The Rock: Duncan Hines! That’s so good! Those chocolate steroids!
Dwayne Johnson plays taxi cab driver Jack Bruno who protects and transports two siblings with parnormal powers in the “Race to Witch Mountain.” The Rock’s latest Disney movie had its cinematic release on Friday, March 13, 2009.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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