LA Veteran Who Received 'The Rock's' Raptor Pickup Truck Is Former Brandon Resident

LOS ANGELES, CA — Five days after actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson handed over the keys of his new Ford F-150 Raptor to Navy veteran Oscar Rodriguez, the 37-year-old Navy veterans and former Brandon resident said he still can't believe it's real.

The shock, the disbelief and, yes, even the tears captured on video posted on Johnson's Instagram page during a Thankgiving Day screening of his recently released Netflix film, "Red Notice," were all genuine.

"It all happened just like you saw it on the video," Rodriguez told Patch.

When Rodriguez, who now lives in Los Angeles, walked into the Culver City, California, movie theater for an invitation-only screening of the Netflix film starring Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, he said he had no clue he was about to be singled out by the professional wrestler-turned-actor.

"Back in March, Dwayne's production company, Seven Bucks Companies, reached out to the gym I work at. They were looking for people in the fitness industry to do a ZOA energy drink promotion, and my gym nominated me," Rodriguez said.

In March, Microsoft announced it was teaming up with Johnson on a ZOA energy drink promotion and Xbox mini-fridge giveaway.

"Shortly after, I got a call from a woman representing The Rock's production company who asked me a bunch of questions about my time in the military, my community service activities, my family, my work as a personal trainer, so on," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez told her about the four years he spent in the Navy, the fact that he's the primary caregiver for his 75-year-old mother, who lives with him, his passion for helping people get in shape and his even greater passion for helping people through his church, The Westside Church in LA, where Rodriguez heads Screenland Ministries, which produces faith-based films.
"Mom's also involved in the church," Rodriguez said. "She's awesome."

Prior to joining the Navy at the age of 19, Rodriguez lived in Brandon with his mom and helped support her by selling cell phones at a kiosk in Westfield Brandon mall. After the Navy, he moved her to LA to live with him, although he still has family in Tampa and Temple Terrace and visits at least once a year.

Rodriguez had no clue that all that information about him was being collected at Johnson's direction to find a person that Johnson felt was deserving of his largesse.

Rodriguez said he didn't think twice when the energy drink promotion fell through. After all, it's Hollywood. Stuff happens.

But a few months later, Johnson's production company called him back and invited him to a private screening of "Red Notice" on Thanksgiving Day. Rodriguez eagerly accepted, showing up at the movie theater, driving his ever-reliable, energy-efficient 2007 Prius.

The Rock treated the audience to free concessions, "free everything and a great time at the movies," Johnson said. "But I also wanted to do something BIG ... something MASSIVE ... something unforgettable for one fan."

He said he originally wanted to give away the Porsche Taycan that he drives (and comically crashes) in the movie but, when he reached out to Porsche, the carmaker turned him down.

"But I still said 'yes,' I'll do one better. I'll give away my personal custom truck as the gift, my baby," Johnson said.

Following the screening, Johnson took the stage to thank everyone and then made the announcement that Rodriguez said changed his life.

Johnson mentioned that he'd gathered personal information on audience members "and, ultimately, Oscar's story moved me," he said.

"I always say it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice," Johnson said. "And Oscar exemplifies being nice and kind to his core. Takes care of his elderly mama. Personal trainer. Leader in his church. Supports and provides meals for women who are victims of domestic violence. Proud and humble Navy veteran. A good, caring, grateful human being."

Johnson admitted he was a bit taken aback by Rodriguez' reaction when they walked out to the parking lot and Johnson handed him the keys to his truck.

Johnson's top-of-the-line, fully loaded Raptor with just 7,000 miles on it is worth more than $85,000.

"I thought this was your truck, bro," Rodriguez can be heard telling Johnson on the video.

"It is my truck," Johnson responded. "Now it's your truck."

"He collapsed to the ground as he read a card I wrote to him that said, 'Thank you for your service, brother, and enjoy your new truck,'" Johnson said.

"It was unreal," Rodriguez said. "My brain just shut down and all the muscles in my body just let go."

Standing back up, tears in his eyes, he hugged Johnson.
"Here I am hugging this huge 6 foot 5-inch guy, and he's laughing and hugging me back," Rodriguez said.

"He got up off the ground and launched into me, giving me the biggest, heartfelt hug once he gathered himself and stopped hyperventilating," Johnson said.

Johnson even facetimed with Rodriguez' girlfriend, so she could share the moment.

The only part of the viral video of the exchange between Johnson and Rodriguez that wasn't real was the last shot of Rodriguez waving out the window as he drove the truck away.

"That was set up," Rodriguez said. "The Rock is really generous. Before turning the truck over to me a few days later, he made sure the title was all in order and all the taxes were paid, so I don't have to pay anything."

Johnson commented later in a Twitter post that Rodriguez "deserves a helluva lot more than just me giving him my personal truck."

"It's the little things like this that I get the greatest joy out of," Johnson said. "But, most importantly, I have the global platform to illuminate good, solid, grateful human beings like Oscar, the kind we could always use more of."

Rodriguez said he's still reeling from the whole experience.

"I've been abundantly blessed by God. To have The Rock acknowledge the efforts I've made in my life was amazing," Rodriguez said. "I'm just trying to figure out how to pay it forward."

See related story: 'The Rock' Hands Over Keys To Personal Custom Truck To Veteran