Brace yourselves, NFL diehards! Cooper Kupp has spilled the beans on the driving force behind Aaron Donald‘s legendary grind. Turns out, the recently retired defensive tackle was hellbent on emulating none other than the People’s Champ himself – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the jabroni-smashing, pie-eating icon of sports entertainment.

In a candid chat on ‘Games With Names’, Kupp lifted the veil on Donald’s not-so-secret aspiration – to become the NFL’s version of The Rock. The wide receiver dished on his former teammate’s obsession with pumping iron, disclosing that Donald would dedicate marathon sessions solely to working his arms. “I’ve actually worked out with him,” Kupp revealed. “I went and worked out with him one time. Tells me the time, show up an hour and a half straight of arms.” Now, let that sink in – an hour and a half dedicated exclusively to biceps, triceps, and all things guns. It’s no wonder Donald’s physique screams intensity from miles away.

The bond between Donald and The Rock transcends the chalk-lined octagon and the grass-stained gridiron. It’s a connection rooted in the lessons instilled by their no-nonsense fathers. As The Rock explained during their swole session in 2022, “We were both raised by very similar fathers who taught us at the exact same age – there is no substitute for hard work, through discipline and tough fatherly love.”

And Donald’s numbers speak volumes about the fruits of that labor – 111 sacks (third among defensive tackles), an unprecedented 176 tackles for loss, and a Super Bowl ring to complement his three Defensive Player of the Year crowns. A surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, his legacy is etched in the annals of NFL lore.

As Donald celebrated his 33rd birthday on Thursday, the Rams made a power move worthy of The Rock himself – keeping his locker open “if he ever wants to come back,” according to Kupp. This act underscores the team’s reverence for Donald’s unmatched intensity and unwavering commitment to grinding harder than the Whole. Damn locker room.

The NFL has some iron paradise warriors other than Aaron Donald!

While The Rock’s influence fueled Donald’s legendary grind, he’s far from the only NFL player hitting the weights hard enough to make the turnbuckles tremble. From quarterbacks embracing unorthodox routines to specialists defying stereotypes, the NFL is stacked with athletes pushing physical limits worthy of a steel chair salute.

The Late-Night Grinder: Russell Wilson
For the Steelers’ signal-caller Wilson, the mantra is “the separation is in the preparation.” As he revealed, “I try not to get much sleep during the week. I may try to get five or six hours.” This unconventional routine is a testament to Wilson’s unwavering dedication, a mindset that propelled him from a third-round pick to a Super Bowl champion.

The Action Figure Punter: Steve Weatherford
Steve Weatherford may be listed as a punter, but his physique is straight out of a WWE action figure lineup. With a chiseled, Lex Luger-esque frame, Weatherford has shattered the stereotype of his position through sheer grit and an outrageous workout regimen.

The Instagram Machine: Patrick Willis
49ers linebacker Patrick Willis remains an absolute machine when it comes to gym exploits. His warm-up alone would put most mortals through the wringer, a testament to the relentless work ethic that made him a household name.

The Defensive MVP: J.J. Watt
Few athletes embody the intensity of Watt, the former Texans’ defensive juggernaut. As profiled by Grantland’s Robert Mays, Watt’s sweat-drenched shirts and protein shakes after workouts on off days epitomize an uncompromising pursuit of excellence worthy of a championship belt.

In the unforgiving realm of professional football, where greatness is forged through blood, sweat, and an unyielding commitment to the grind, these warriors of the iron paradise stand tall, embodying the very essence of the WWE’s attitude era – an unwavering willingness to lay the smackdown on expectations and redefine what it means to be a complete athlete.