Main image via People
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson melted hearts everywhere at the 27th People’s Choice Award when he gave his award to a very special guest.
The Jungle Cruise star, who already received the People’s Movie Star and Comedy Movie Star awards earlier in the night, sweetly handed his People’s Champion Award to Make-A-Wish recipient, Shuchana, a teen cancer survivor who was in the audience.
The 49-year-old actor at first accepted the award, presented by his good friend, Jeff Bezos, but he then told the audiences that he does not consider himself a “People's Champion”.
"For those who may know or for those who may not know, the original people's champion was the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali," the WWE star said.
"I first met Muhammad when I was a little boy and he was so cool to me. He was so kind and he was so funny. He was always wonderful to me."
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Dwayne nicknamed himself the "people's champion" for his tough-guy image in the WWE, but later asked Ali's wife for permission to use the title.
"She said, 'He told me to tell you you are the people's champion, you have earned it, you take that title,'" the star reflected. "Years later to be standing here with you guys, you voted me the People's Champion, the irony is not lost on me because I realize that what it means to be the People's Champion is so much bigger than me.”
“You treat people good, you treat people kind. You take care of people. You're inclusive of people, all people, all colors, it doesn't matter."
"The last time I saw Muhammed, we were at a Make-a-Wish event and we were both granting wishes. His last words to me were, 'You keep rumbling.'" the actor added.
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The Rock then shocked everyone by inviting the 2021 PCAs Make-a-Wish recipient, Shushana, on-stage.
"I met her earlier. I told her how proud I was of her story," he said. "She is a fighter, she has inspired her family and friends. I want to tell you just how much you've inspired me and everyone around you and certainly everyone here. I want to give you this because you represent everything that it means to be a People's Champion — so this is for you."
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The 15-time PCAs nominee and two-time winner quoted Ali's famous words — "The service to others is the rent you pay for the room you have here on earth" — as the reason for giving Shushana the award.
Overwhelmed by his kindness, Sushana said "Thank you for this. I didn't expect this at all. But, I mean, thank you and to Make-a-Wish. I just never expected that something this good could happen. This is crazy."
You truly inspire us, Dwayne! You will forever be a Champion to our hearts.
Let us know what you think of this heartfelt moment.
Info via NBC