At the company I danced with, our principal male dancer started dancing at 19 after an injury. He was a college baseball player and kept getting hurt due to his lack of flexibility, so his physical therapist suggested he take either yoga or ballet. He went with ballet because there was a ballet school down the street. He said he fell in love with it because it was the first athletic thing he tried that he wasn't immediately good at, and that made him want to keep trying. He ended up quitting baseball and devoted his life to ballet after that.

I just love how none of the people put the other sport down and they can just enjoy themselves doing something completely different than usual

My university required athletes to take dance classes. Were there football players in my basic ballet class? Yes. Did at least one of them say screw it and showed up in tights? Also yes. Did the football player in my jazz class get stoked for knee turns in the choreo? Also yes. It was fun all around.

A few yrs ago, niece taught HS team ballet as senior project. Most of the guys learned a lot of respect for how athletic this tiny girl turned out to be. They had sore muscles but almost No injuries that yr. She was asked to come back the next yr.

Let us not forget that Lynn Swan from the Pittsburgh Steelers took ballet classes in the 1970s when he played professional football. I remember it being mentioned during a game when he made a catch doing a grand jêté over the scrimmage and into the end zone for a touchdown. High school coaches started encouraging their players to add dance classes to their schedules to increase their flexibility and strength.

Ahhhh this is so nice to see! I was actually a part of Touchdowns and Tutus for almost every year in high school (covid put a damper on some of that) and this was actually the year that I won (I'm the girl with the red choker). Thank you so much for watching and reacting to this! Participating in this was honestly one of the most fun experiences I've had and it's still so nice to see how much people love this idea!

It’s just respectful. I love how the football players learn so much from ballet and dance. Also dancers getting recognition for how hard it is.

I LOVE THIS! I remember my brother taking dance every summer he played football in HS. He was a linebacker but I think that was our school's secret weapon. When even your defensive tackles, tight ends, and linebackers are light on their feet, it's a lot harder to get a running back or wide receiver through the lines. I think the coach liked for them to do ballet and jazz/swing dancing the most. I think the skills are still paying off for big bro over 20 years later, chasing down to energetic girls. Seriously! The Pointe Shop should look into co-sponsoring something like this as a charity fundraiser like Ashley Bettis does with the Canton Ballet. I guess she's a former dancer of that company. I can't imagine she wouldn't want to see her fundraising initiative and awareness spread? I think y'all should totally reach out to her. Could be a really fun thing to do!

Josephine thanks so much for this review. My son danced from age 3-18. He is now a senior in college hoping to get a chance to go to the NFL. If that falls thru then he will head to medical school to be our family’s first doctor. My hubby (his father) passed when Darius was 11. I’m so proud of him. He has accomplished so much. He’s the baby of 5. My son shine!!!

I am from Canton Ohio! And I’m family friends with the football player who won that year! Darius 100% should have taken home the first place trophy for that excellent technique! Despite that it was a lot of fun to watch!

Two teams, Dallas and Seattle have included mandatory yoga and ballet as part of their training and you can tell which seasons included it by their successful seasons

OMG I FREAKED OUT WHEN I SAW THIS!!!! I DANCE AT CANTON BALLET OMGGGGG CRYING RN😭😭😭

I would absolutely be a part of making this nationwide. I was both a dancer and an athlete. One of my coaches commented to my dad about my agility. He picked me up from a dance practice saw what we were doing and told me later that's exactly why. Dance helps with balance, agility, and flexibility. It's an all around win for athletes.

I did a summer intensive at Cleveland Ballet in 1981 and because I was the tallest girl, my partner for pas de deluxe class was the center for Cleveland States basketball team! His coach told him he needed to take ballet classes for coordination. But the teachers didn’t always take into account a 7’1” male lifting a 5’10” female takes a bit longer than a 5’6” male lifting a 4’11” female. Also there were ceiling fans! But he definitely improved over the summer❤

as a (guy) volleyball player who also loves dance and theater, i can confirm how beneficial it’s been for building strength and preventing injuries. being light on your feet and having good ankle strength are absolute MUSTS in vb, and the ability to have precise control over yourself in the air is also super helpful. fingers crossed something like this comes to california before i graduate hs lol

Josephine, I feel like if you reached out to the Touchdowns and Tutus people they would jump on bringing it to California!!

When I was getting my acting degree, intro to performance was the starter course but also counted as a “creative expression” prerequisite. It was an 8am class and worked with the FB players training schedule. So my freshman year of acting we are also packed with a bunch of football players in our very first acting classes. The rest of us went on, of course to become theater majors. To this day, those football players were some of the most talented individuals I ever worked with on a stage. They knew how to perform under pressure, they knew when stakes😮 were high, they had instinct (“it” factor we sometimes say, for eyes being on them and failure not being an option. Some of the best scene partners I worked with, better than pro actors. Athletes are so talented beyond the physical. Their minds are primed for anything.

I danced at this studio for 12 years of my life!! There were AMAZING instructors, and they were all so helpful!! The whole company feels like a family❤️

I love seeing athletes try other athletic feats! I'm a ballroom dancer and teaching sports players is so much fun. They appreciate how difficult things are and don't act too good for it.

That was so cool.....reminds me of a time when our ballet studio did a collaboration with the fitness studio next door. It was Tutus vs Weights and let's just say that the tutus out lifted the weights 😂😂😂.

I have heard of professional athletes taking ballet back in the 1970s, especially football players 🏈 🩰. A father of a professional athlete asked me for recommendations to help his son recover from an injury. I suggested ballet 🩰, yoga 🧘🏻‍♀️, Pilates, and Tai Chi. Cross-training and cooling down after working out is trop important.

I had a classmate in middle school who won various international and worldwide karate tourments, and we became friends because we started attending the same ballet class, and let me tell you he could tilt, turn and fly.

I love this! These people took this seriously and performed for charity! These football players are awesome for stepping out of their comfort zone and realizing they can perform in other sports.

You mention USC football players do dance classes, a former Trojan who became a Hall-of-Fame wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their first Super Bowl dynasty in the 1970s, Lynn Swann did ballet on the side both at USC and in Pittsburgh. He was featured on an episode of Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood showing off his dance. It also may have helped him make that famous catch in Super Bowl X against Dallas.

That was massively entertaining! I'd love to see the full routines. Nice to see the football players trying hard with everyone encouraging them. Thank you for the video - you certainly brightened my day! 😄🌸🙏

Canton, OH is the location of the National Football Hall of Fame, so it’s definitely a neat idea to use the football connection to fundraise for the Canton ballet!

Loved the Spartacus/Phrygia lift and his gopak Russian side split jump 👏. He could be in any Nutcracker.

Zach Carroll was a high school wrestler and football player before a woman renting a guest house from his grandmother talked him into being in the crowd for The Nutcracker. Then he took a ballet class, and six months later he was training at the Canadian Ballet and went on to be a soloist in Utah and other places and is now a choreographer. And he married the woman who was renting the guest house, also obviously a ballet dancer.

The Oakland Raisers used to do an annual ballet performance with the Oakland Ballet back in the 80’s. I think they were the ones that started this craze.

In college most of the guys in dance class were football players. They take the dance classes because it helps strech your body and elongate the muscles. I loved dance and any election offered for dance I took and the players were always there and they took it very seriously.

Honestly dance definitely would help with corrdination and strength in a way that they probably wouldn’t get from “strength training”. Im all for it

Absolutely adorable! I too love that these boys football coaches are encouraging their young men to dance! Wonderful!!

In Canada, we have had an awesome TV series called Battle of the Blades, which pairs hockey players (male and female, current and retired) with figure skaters (not just Canadian skaters!). We've gone to watch the taping twice. It's really cool.

I remember our sports teacher at school having me and some other people that danced do a lesson of just stretches and dance basics with out sports class bc there where so many ppl, mainly boys, that played football (I’m from Germany so soccer for all Americans) and it was truly quite funny, ofc most ppl were surprised by their own inflexibility and even more surprised after doing some fun little dance numbers tihi….I on the other side was surprised how well they did but at the same time how inflexible you could be….all in all a fun time I think dance always deserves so much more recognition for how hard it can actually be

Ahh this is my old ballet school!! I was a part of it the first two years and it was such a fun experience:)) so happy to see you reacting to it!!

You know what’s interesting, though in ballet/dance you might be taught not to grunt or make noises, in other sports you’re actually taught while learning the technique to make noise. For three years in high school, I was in track and field specifically shotput and discus. We were taught to scream, yell, or grunt everytime we were throwing or releasing.

Josephine if you want to bring this to the bay I will ABSOLUTELY help omg imagine all the tech bros and tutus 😅

back when i was really little, i knew that most football players took ballet in order to improve their footwork. some baseball and basketball players also took ballet for flexibility and footwork as well. it's pretty common, but the "tough macho men" don't want to be seen as "prissy little sissies" because they had to take ballet.

Please! Get our Basketball and Football players into dance!

In the region of about 20yrs ago I read an article about a British soccer team taking some ballet training lessons to enhance their soccer skills . So good to see this video . Usually I detest the video where somebody takes the lion’s share of the screen to talk about a video the viewer can see in smaller size in another part of the screen . Now this video is superb . The narrator knows her stuff , looks delightful , and her narration certainly justifies her presence.

What an awesome idea!! and nice to see such a respectful group of participants and judges! And Darius... hello! touchdown on the dance floor !

When I was in school we always had to recruit the Football and baseball guys cause we didn't have enough guys try out for the shows. They were always amazed at what we had to do and all that went on behind the scenes to put on a show. Especially when we had to teach them dance numbers. Sure they can run up and down the field all day, but doing that while trying to belt out a song is a different matter.

I love this! The world needs more male dancers.

Lynn Swan was a football player who studied ballet. He said it helped him with balancing.

I'd love to see more vids like this! I'm thinking that because Darius has danced before he couldn't get picked @ #1.

Omg that’s where I took dance as a kid and Ms. Jennifer was my teacher! 😊😊

My high school did this type of competition every year except the dancer can choose any athlete. It’s super fun!

My hometown is officially famous. Very cool.😊

Dancers = the more it hurts, the wider the smile 🙃🙃🙃

So, the first thing I noticed with Darius was his footwork. It’s probably the first time I noticed the feet before Josephine.

No high-ankle sprains for our ballet-dancing football playerz!!!!!

Please react to the swan club. It’s such a good show and I’m sure you would love it. It is quite worrying when they bring out point shoes however they do have actual teachers as well so it’s slightly reassuring.

"The footwork's completely different from football"....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

ive been including beginner ballet exercises in my workout routine to help prevent injury- im disabled and have a tendency to hurt myself. its been hard, but fun.

This was so sweet and well done to all the participants!

This is the Saturday morning video reaction vibes I needed, it was so so fun!!

One of my supervisors of a salon was a ballerina and watching your videos makes me understand how she functions and acts more and more. This is a good thing lol

We do this at our high school and pair any boys up with our dance team

I love seeing people try out contrasting sports! Especially cool seeing the increase in respect from both parties for the other. As for suggestions, please react to equestrian vaulting! It’s such an incredible sport and deserves more attention.

Purple costume guy was really good!! I find it hard to believe he's never danced before

I hope we get video of your time at YAGP.

They did such a great job! 🥰 Rock on! 👏

Josephine, I just love your videos! Keep them coming!

This should be everywhere or at least encouraged more. When I was younger there was a boy in my class who was also in football, eventually he quit dancing mainly because of being made fun of by classmates and even his father

You are one of my new favorites on youtube. I love your reaction videos. Keep them coming ❤

These football players can do better toe touches than me, a cheerleader!!!!!! 😂

Love this! What an awesome idea!

When I took ballet classes in the 1960s there were local high school football players who came to some of the classes. This was in California.

LOVE THIS!!!!♥

Please set this up!!!! I need this in my life!!!

My mom grew up within sight of the Chicago Bears practice field and she said that they would be practicing ballet in their practice field. So cool, I wish I could see that.

That's really cool. all guys job well done! Darius was robbed! We saw the winners dance a touch.

I feel like these programs would benefit from a few male dancers/demonstrators to make it more relatable for the players. I mean, really, there aren't any male dancers available for this? To me it's reinforcing the stereotype that ballet is just for women.

I love this too 😅

Loved it! More please

This is so good! And hopefully it does a lot to destigmatize men in dance. I don't know why dance is such an "unmanly" thing in western society these days.

The outside that you said looked familiar immediately reminded me of CSULB! Such a gorgeous theatre, I will never forget the first time I saw it and that's what it reminded me of. Not sure if I'm alone in this but I figured I would comment and see if anyone agrees.

At Auburn University, in Alabama. The players took dance classes. I also took dance and our instructor told us they had their own class just for all the athletes.

I wish I could find the clip on KZfaq, but it was in Australia it was a challenge where they had a pair of professional Rugby League players, who swapped places with 2 principle male dancers at the Australian Ballet. No performance if I remember but it was doing all the training / rehearsal. The rugby players were suffering. The Rugby players were definitely left impressed by how extremely fit you have to be

If someone came up to me (in high school or now) and said I had the opportunity to dance with a ballerina from quite literally anywhere, my only response would be SOLD!!!! My first girlfriend was a ballerina and my high school crush was a ballerina. I actually took two non-credit ballet classes in university and had season's tickets to the ballet for 4 years. I still love it and consider ballet dancers as some of the best athletes on the planet especially after I saw a young women with the National Ballet of Canada go up on point (one foot) and jump all the way across the stage. Show me any other athlete that can do THAT!! Ya, I thought not. LOL Ya, your video just reminded me that, when I took those ballet courses in university, it was me and another guy (who was gay as it turned out) and twelve women. Ya, gee, it was really difficult to get motivated to go to that class (perfect attendance as one might imagine). Also, I am not flexible at all, so there was a slight downside as it turned out. I was impressing no one but the ladies did appreciate that I wanted to take the class and made the effort. kekekeke Absolutely love Dominique Moceanu!! Talk about an amazing athlete. She is incredible!!

No, that’s a gifted athlete.

Darius was Robbed!

this is amazing!

Josephine, bring it to California. I'll volunteer to help. 😂

I tried to walk a friend (female power lifter) through dance stretches, and she stuck her hips out the same way: it's bc wright lifting needs your weight over your knees while dance needs your weight over your hips and feet

That was really sweet 😊

That was on POINT(E).

Josephine❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😄

It's Like When Professional Hockey Players Change Blades & Learn To Figure Skate!! It's AMAZING To Watch!! Figure Skating - Like Ballet - Requires ATHLETICISM!!!

Well said.

The football coach at my college had the players come to my modern dance class to learn flexibility and balance. This was in 1969. He went on to coach San Diego Chargers to the Super bowl

hey Josephine! I got my first pair of pointe shoes in January of 2022, and now it's time for a new pair but I don't know what brand and model to get. right now I have Russian pointe encores but I can't really get over on my box in the shoe and I feel they make my sickling worse. what brand and model would help/prevent my problem? thank you!

We did the same thing…however it was men’s waterpolo and synchronized swimming!

Do you have any recommendations for soft ballet shoes for Egyptian feet? I always have so much excess fabric because my toes are so slanted. I need a brand that is more tapered

so cool

My ballet teacher at PBT (he is in the Corps de Ballet) used to play soccer, I think.

That toe touch was impressive

lol!!! im DEAD this is GOLD

Did that guy really do an AERIAL? Seriously! Wow!

Hi so I'm not sure if this way To ask questions. But I was wondering if you could do a radio on how to prepare your demi point shoes and if you have to. Cause I was just not knowing how to pick out my demi point shoes And I was just wondering if you could do that?.🙂