Calgary Stampeders get their closeup on NBC sitcom recalling movie star's CFL days
The Calgary Stampeders were ready for prime time this week.
That's because the Stamps and Calgary, were the focus of Tuesday's episode of Young Rock, an NBC sitcom based on the early years of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
It's no secret that Johnson has a strong Calgary connection, and the season premiere of the series paid hilarious tribute to Johnson's short time as a Stampeder.
"After not hearing my name called by the NFL draft," Young Rock said in the episode, "I was signed by the Calgary Stampeders."
And art imitated life, as the real-life rookie told CTV News' Glenn Campbell in a 1995 interview.
"As one of the newest members what do you have to say to the fans?" Campbell asked young Dwayne Johnson, an aspiring defensive tackle.
"Now we gotta do that here, go 18 and 0, go all the way to the Grey Cup Nov. 19," Johnson told Campbell.
On the show, Young Rock was asked the same question.
"We're going 18 and 0, wooo!" he said.
'ITS AN ADJUSTMENT'
The Rock didn't exactly thrive in his brief stint as a CFL player.
"It's an adjustment (for players)," said Stampeder historian Darryl Slade. "I think a lot of American players have (to make one) when they come up here. I mean, the field is bigger in Canada. There's one more player on the field."
Stampeder historian Darryl Slade
While he struggled to make a dent in the CFL, Slade thinks Johnson's Calgary experience clearly stuck with him.
"I think he liked the people and the city itself," Slade said. "If he had stayed around, he probably would have made a good CFL career."
The show also had fun with the CFL's famously low salaries.
"Practice guys make 350 a week," said the actor playing coach Wally Buono in Tuesday night's episode.
"Dollars?" asked Young Rock.
"Loonies," said fake Buono.
"The CFL is not known for high salaries," Slade said. "Dwayne and about five or six guys were staying in one of the rooms in the motel village (near McMahon Stadium)."
Through flashbacks, fans got a glimpse of memories with coach Wally Buono, as well as teammates Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia, both of whom went on to have successful NFL careers.
"I think it's really nice to see that being featured down in the U.S.," said Slade, who wrote a book about the history of the Stampeders.
The episode was a tribute to a city and team that left an indelible impression on the former WWE wrestling star who went on to be one of Hollywood's top movie stars – and named his production company, which produces the show, Seven Bucks because Johnson said that's how much money he had when he left Calgary.
The rumour is that there will be more Calgary Stampeders on next week's episode.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who had sex with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.