NFL Tradition Meets the Art of Dance
The crossover between football and ballet may seem surprising, but it’s part of a long tradition. Legendary players like Lynn Swann, Walter Payton, and Herschel Walker once embraced ballet to sharpen their agility and coordination. Now, Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean is continuing that legacy.
A New Chapter in Rehab
After suffering a torn patellar tendon during the Eagles’ Wild Card game, 24-year-old Dean was sidelined for the remainder of the team’s Super Bowl run. To aid his recovery, he’s now training at BalletX, a contemporary ballet company in Philadelphia.
“There’s way more flexibility, of course. Way more mobility,” Dean said of the benefits, in an interview with NBC Philadelphia’s Brendan Brightman and Matt DeLucia.
“It’s definitely something that’s helping with my rehab. You just feel a change immediately. After you stretch, you’re not as tight or as sore.”
Strengthening the Eagles’ Defense
Dean’s return is highly anticipated. Last season, he and fellow linebacker Zack Baun formed a powerful duo at the heart of Philadelphia’s defense. The two led the NFL’s second-best scoring defense, with Dean recording 128 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. Baun topped that with 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and five forced fumbles.
Their efforts helped power the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory, where Baun earned All-Pro honors and Dean demonstrated the skill that made him a third-round pick in 2022.
Injury Challenges and a New Approach
Dean’s recent injury isn’t his first. A torn pectoral muscle may have impacted his draft stock, and in 2023, he landed on injured reserve twice due to foot issues, limiting him to just five games. Seeking to build resilience and avoid future injuries, Dean is exploring how ballet can improve his flexibility and muscle activation in ways traditional football training doesn’t offer.
Despite enjoying the artistic side of ballet, Dean has no plans to trade in his helmet permanently. “I’m more interested in the performance, looking at it… but I’m a football player through and through,” he said.
“My whole thing is trying to be the absolute best version of myself. For me, that’s greatness. If I’m striving to be that everyday, and doing whatever it takes to be that.”
Looking Ahead
BalletX is set to perform its summer series from July 16–20. With NFL training camp just around the corner, Dean might have a brief window to enjoy a live performance, before returning to the field to deliver one of his own.
