Some of American football's best-known players took ballet. Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann credited ballet with the body control behind his leaping catches, and running back Herschel Walker studied ballet for years and performed on stage with the Fort Worth Ballet (Sports Illustrated Kids). Here's what they said it gave them, and what the research shows.
The players
Lynn Swann of the Pittsburgh Steelers said early ballet training helped with the body control and timing behind his catches.
Herschel Walker started ballet in his twenties, partly for flexibility, and went on to perform with the Fort Worth Ballet.
Willie Gault, a receiver, also performed with a ballet company in Chicago.
Steve McLendon, a defensive lineman, said ballet was harder than anything else he did (CBS Sports).
Why ballet appeals to athletes
Ballet trains balance on one leg, controlled landings, flexibility through the hips and ankles, and precise footwork. Receivers and running backs use all of that when they change direction, jump for a ball and land.
What the research shows
Very little so far. In a pilot study, ten college football players were split into a ballet group and a control group. After two weeks of short ballet classes, balance didn't improve more than in the control group, and flexibility gains fell just short of statistical significance (Willamette University pilot study). That's one tiny study, so treat it as a starting point.
Soccer, rugby and Gaelic games
We found no research on ballet for soccer, rugby or GAA players. The skills overlap in the same way, so players who are curious can join an adult beginner class and see for themselves.
Read ballet for boys in Ireland, ballet for adults or is ballet a sport?.
Frequently asked questions
Did NFL players really do ballet?
Yes. Lynn Swann, Herschel Walker, Willie Gault and Steve McLendon all trained in ballet, and Walker and Gault performed with ballet companies.
Does ballet help footballers?
Players like Lynn Swann credited it with better body control. The research is limited to one small pilot study, which found no clear gain in balance after two weeks.
Can men start ballet as adults?
Yes. Adult beginner classes welcome men, and Herschel Walker started ballet in his twenties.
Last checked: 6 November 2026