gettyimages-1490495476-594×594.jpg
John Cena has opened up about his childhood, specifically defending his older brother.
Cena, 46, appeared in the most recent episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, where he explained that he and his four brothers grew up in a small Massachusetts town. In that environment, his older brother Steve struggled because of his interest in computers and his sexual orientation.
“Life was tough for my brother in high school. Not only was he an introvert and interested in computers, he’s also gay. And being gay in the Eighties in a small town in Massachusetts, man, that’s an uphill climb,” Cena said.
He added that Steve did not come out as gay while he was in high school, but was judged during that period for being a “true nerd”.
“He just had a lot of character traits that weren’t in the ‘cool kid’ group, and he’s also holding this secret that he can’t tell or talk to anybody about,” Cena explained.
“I really feel for what it must have been like for him growing up,” he added.
Despite being a few years younger than Steve, the actor explained that he always felt very protective of his older brother. “That sort of behaviour started, like, at 10 years old for me,” he said.
“I don’t think I understood what was going on. Kids are harsh and they form cliques real fast.”
Because his family lived “acres away” from others the brothers normally stuck together. “There was enough of us to have a basketball team, which means we could do whatever we wanted. We want to play football or baseball, there’s enough of us. We didn’t feel we needed anyone else,” Cena said.
Then when the actor was around 10 to 12 years old he recalled becoming part of other “social circles” and wanted to stand up to any bullies he came across.
“I took on the role of, ‘Hey, if you say something to the younger brothers, I will do my best to throw myself in harm’s way,’” he said.
He added that it wasn’t even just his brothers who were getting picked on in school, he was also dealing with his bullies. “I got made fun of for the way I dressed, the music I listened to, the people I associated with, my older brother,” he explained.
At age 12, Cena decided to start working out with weights, he said, “Because I was getting my a** kicked.”
By the time Cena was 15 years old, he explained that through his regimen of “constant strength training and eating right”, he became bigger than his bullies who were older than him.
“I walked into physical education class with now seniors who were pushing me down the hill,” he said. “I remember specifically one kid who literally spearheaded the anti-John movement, I closed my locker door and he’s next to me and we were looking at each other like, ‘Is it gonna go down?’”
Instead of fighting, Cena explained how he got the situation to die down on its own.
“And for some reason – at 15 – I summoned up the situational awareness to be like, ‘Hey man, we’re good, don’t worry about it,’” he said. “And that was it. Not only did he never pick on me again, I never really got f’ed with again in high school.”
From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.
News Related-
Pedestrian in his 70s dies after being struck by a lorry in Co Laois
-
Vermont shooting updates: Burlington police reveal suspect’s eerie reaction to arrest
-
Grace Dent says her ‘heart is broken’ as she exits I’m A Celebrity early
-
Stromer’s ST3 Urban E-Bike Goes Fancy With Minimalist Design, Modern Tech
-
Under-pressure Justice Minister announces review of the use of force for gardaí
-
My appearance has changed because of ageing, says Jennifer Lawrence
-
Man allegedly stabbed in the head during row in Co Wexford direct provision centre
-
Children escape without injury after petrol bomb allegedly thrown at house in Cork City
-
Wexford gardai investigating assault as man is bitten in the face during Main Street altercation
-
Child minder’s husband handed eight year sentence for abusing two children
-
The full list of the best London restaurants, cafes and takeaways revealed at the Good Food Awards
-
Mazda CEO Says EVs 'Not Taking Off' In The U.S.—Except Teslas
-
Leitrim locals set up checkpoint to deter asylum seekers
-
Ask A Doctor: Can You Get Shingles More Than Once?