Hulk Hogan’s death in July sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and beyond.
The Hulkster had become a beloved figure in his adopted home state of Florida.
And Ron DeSantis made one announcement about Hulk Hogan that left wrestling fans fighting back tears.
DeSantis honors the Hulkster with lasting tribute
Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Clearwater Friday morning with a special announcement that had wrestling fans and locals reaching for tissues.
Speaking at Hogan’s Hangout – the legendary wrestler’s own bar – DeSantis revealed that a two-mile stretch of the Clearwater Trail will be renamed the Hulk Hogan Trail.
DeSantis said he met Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, at the end of May.
The tribute comes just months after Hogan passed away at age 71 following a heart attack at his Clearwater Beach home.
DeSantis explained his motivation for the tribute during the emotional ceremony.
"He was proud to be a Floridian," the governor stated. "He loved this state. He loved this community."¹
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1974142687478476802
The renamed section will run between Oak Avenue and Clearwater Drive, featuring signs in Hogan’s signature red and yellow colors.
But DeSantis didn’t stop there.
The trail will include exercise stations throughout, allowing visitors to "train" just like the Hulkster taught millions of fans to do.
The governor explained his vision for making the trail interactive.
"People bike, they run, they walk, but why not have a pull-up bar there?" DeSantis suggested. "You go for a two or three-mile walk and you knock out 30 pull-ups or so along the way."²
The governor clearly understood what made Hogan special – his connection to regular people trying to better themselves.
Emotional ceremony
"Clearwater was always home for him," Nick explained emotionally. "No matter how far he traveled around the world or where his career took him, he was always grounded here."³
The ceremony hit its most emotional moment when Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart – Hogan’s longtime friend and manager – tried to speak about their weekly tradition.
Hart’s voice cracked as he shared their final conversation at the bar.
"The last thing he said to me was, ‘Jimmy, I want you to go up there and do your song Keep on Dancing for me,’" Hart recalled with tears in his eyes. "I really hated doing it, but we did it. I did it for him and I’m glad I did."⁴
Hart then painted an emotional picture of Hogan’s legacy.
"I know the Hulkster is up in heaven right now looking down on this Clearwater Beach bar," Hart said through tears. "He’s with Andre the Giant and Macho Man Randy Savage, and they’re saying, ‘Look man, you got a trail named after you.’"⁵
DeSantis understands what made Hogan special
Look, here’s what DeSantis got right about honoring Hulk Hogan.
He didn’t just slap the name on some random street corner and call it a day.
DeSantis connected the tribute to what actually mattered to Hogan – helping people improve their lives through fitness and positive thinking.
The exercise stations along the trail tie directly back to Hogan’s famous mantra: "Train hard, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins."
That wasn’t just wrestling marketing – Hogan genuinely believed in encouraging people to take care of themselves and work toward their goals.
DeSantis also understood that Hogan wasn’t just a celebrity who happened to live in Florida.
The Hulkster had deep roots in the Clearwater community, owning businesses there and becoming a genuine part of the local fabric.
DeSantis reflected on Hogan’s lasting impact on professional wrestling.
"He always said ‘Hulkamania’ is going to live forever," the governor noted. "I don’t think you’re ever going to be able to find somebody that’s going to eclipse him in terms of the star-power he brought to professional wrestling."⁶
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1974117290607325321
For folks who grew up watching Hogan in the 1980s and 1990s, this tribute was different from your typical celebrity memorial.
Hogan represented something pure about American entertainment – the idea that good could triumph over evil through hard work, determination, and believing in yourself.
The Hulk Hogan Trail ensures that message keeps inspiring people long after the man himself is gone.
And in a world that seems to tear down more heroes than it builds up, that’s something worth preserving.
¹ WTVT Web Staff, "Hulk Hogan to have portion of Clearwater Trail named in his honor," FOX 13 News, October 3, 2025.
² – ⁶ Ibid.
