Of Football and Ballet By Sondra Forsyth Not long ago, I was at a performance of the New York City BalletΓÇÖs ΓÇ£Swan LakeΓÇ¥ when I noticed that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was seated near me. Leaving aside his politics, the Papa Johns controversy, and Conor McGregor’s whiskey, I was delighted to see Jones at the ballet. And I wasnΓÇÖt surprised. I knew that way back in 1968, the year before Jones purchased the Cowboys, the teamΓÇÖs Running Back Herschel Walker performed with the Fort Worth Ballet. Walker had studied ballet in college. Clearly, the Cowboys have a long-standing appreciation of ballet. Walker was quoted as saying in a New York Times article by Thomas C. Hayes, ”Ballet is very tough and I was thrilled to get the chance. . . I’ve got great flexibility for a guy my size and that helps. Some football players are so stiff they can’t raise their arms above their head.” One reason this interests me is that when I was studying ballet as a child and teen, my father organized ballet classes for the Detroit Lions. He was the teamΓÇÖs physician/trainer, and he was very impressed with what the physical aspects of ballet raining involved. Other professional football teams have also studied ballet. And Jerry Jones himself does know how to bust a move. Witness his dance in this commercial. So, as I said, I wasnΓÇÖt surprised to see Jones at the ballet. He clearly enjoyed the performance and made some knowledgeable comments when a man who recognized him came over to chat. I spoke with him briefly, a moment I later related to my younger grandson who is a huge CowboysΓÇÖ fan. If thereΓÇÖs a lesson here, itΓÇÖs that taking ballet classes, even as an adult beginner, is good for body and soul ΓÇô and watching ballet other than just The Nutcracker┬áisnΓÇÖt an esoteric or elitist pursuit. Why not check out the adult ballet classes offered in your area, if you arenΓÇÖt already enrolled? I think youΓÇÖll be pleased with the results if you start taking class. If Walker at 223 pounds could do it, ┬áyou can as well. On with the dance! Sondra Forsyth is a Co-Editor-in-Chief of thirdAGE.com.