McLendon has been enrolled in ballet classes since his senior season at Troy University, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
His ballet teacher Stephanie Kibler, over the years, didn’t take it easy on him because he’s a football player either.
“I work him harder than the majority of women will ever work in a ballet setting,” Kibler said. “He does it well. He might have sweat dripping off him and looking at me like I’m crazy, but he does it. He really works hard. It’s almost like he’s mastering the craft of ballet. He’s not in there just for football.”
McLendon’s purpose for ballet? To prevent injuries.
“It keeps you injury free, your ankles, keeps your feet strong, your toes strong, you get away from knee injuries,” McLendon said. “I can tell when I don’t do it in my body.”
This season, the Steelers are hoping McLendon, who signed a three-year, $7.25 million deal, can stay injury-free and replace veteran leader Casey Hampton in a good way.
