Boston – During a press conference following a training session in preparation for the upcoming season, no one expected Jaylen Brown — the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and one of the Boston Celtics’ biggest stars — to break down in tears when speaking about someone outside the world of basketball: Hulk Hogan.
The immortal icon of professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan, passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness. His death brought profound grief not only to the WWE community but also across the entire sports world. And Jaylen Brown — a lifelong fan of Hogan — couldn’t hold back his emotions.
“I know this might sound strange… but I really grew up with him. Not on the court, but through the TV screen. Hulk Hogan was the first person who made me believe true strength doesn’t come from muscles — but from willpower,”
— Jaylen Brown said, his voice trembling.
Brown recalled how, as a child, he would be glued to the screen every time WWE was on. The iconic leg drops, the flowing blonde hair, the raspy voice shouting “Whatcha gonna do, brother?!” — all of it became an unforgettable part of his childhood memories.
From yellow bandanas to a Celtics jersey: Hogan’s spirit lives on in Jaylen Brown
Brown wasn’t just a viewer. He said he learned a lot from Hogan — especially about resilience, determination, and the strength to rise after every fall.
“I’ve been injured, doubted, and there were times I felt I wasn’t good enough to play on the biggest stage. But every time, I’d remember Hulk — he always got back up, always kept fighting. That was real inspiration.”
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Brown added that before big games, he often watches Hogan’s old clips — not for entertainment, but as a way to “recharge his warrior spirit.”
A final farewell — from the hardwood to the wrestling ring
When asked what he would say if he could send one last message to Hogan, Brown paused for a few seconds and then quietly replied:
“Rest in power, brother.
Thank you for teaching me how to fight — not just to win, but to never give up.”
On social media, Jaylen also posted an old photo of Hulk Hogan with a short but heartfelt caption:
“Hogan made me believe I could be more than just a kid from Georgia.”
Sports — whether on the court, the ring, or anywhere else — share the same fire
Jaylen Brown’s tribute to Hulk Hogan is proof that legends like Hogan inspire far beyond their own arenas. They ignite something deep inside all those who carry the heart of a warrior — regardless of the sport.
Today, as Hulk Hogan rests in peace, the sports world pauses for a moment. And in the heart of an NBA star like Jaylen Brown — who was once a wide-eyed kid watching WWE on TV — a part of his spirit, a piece of that childhood inspiration, quietly fades with him.
