Growing up, neither Kiko Alonso nor Mychal Kendricks played organized football. Those days wouldn’t come until high school. Yet somehow, both managed to take the steps necessary to become successful NFL linebackers.
How? Perseverance and natural athleticism.
For Kendricks, participating in soccer and dance was key. The sports taught him to understand footwork at a young age, something that would be highly important for his future as a linebacker.
“I used to dance hip-hop, jazz, tap. That’s all footwork and choreographed steps. I think I learned a lot about timing through that,” he explained.