Eagles linebacker discusses taking dance lessons and more

In the latest episode of The Inquirer’s Eagles podcast, Discovering the birdsbreakout linebacker Zack Baun joined host Jeff McLane before Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys to talk about some of his interests outside of football and the other activities he participated in growing up.

Here’s a clip from McLane’s “Pick Six” segment with Baun…

Q: You played a lot of sports growing up (in Wisconsin). You played football, basketball, track, soccer. You played a little tennis, as I understand it, and a little ballet?

A: It was basically tap and jazz, but yes, I danced.

Q: How old were you when you did that? Do you think this has helped you in some way in terms of football?

A: I was probably about six or seven years old when my mother introduced me to dancing. It was tap and jazz, whatever jazz is. I even have old clips of it. It’s kind of funny, but I don’t think it has any relation to what I’m doing now, to be honest. In any case, coordination at a young age is great, and that was good for me. I’ve definitely had a few concerts. I did a cartwheel in one of the little short clips – it was good.

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Q: You were raised by a single mother, correct? How has that played a role in your life?

A: She did everything for me and my four other siblings. It’s obviously a difficult situation, and looking back we didn’t have much, but we had everything at the same time. (I’m) very grateful and grateful that she made the sacrifices she made, and that she put me in a position to be successful.

Q: You said you didn’t have much. What were some of the things that maybe you missed that you look back on and think, “Oh, I wish I had this or that,” or even at the time?

A: We lived in an apartment, or in subsidized housing, and of course we would go to my friends’ house and jump in their pool and eat at their dining room table. We didn’t always do things like that, but now that I have my son, it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to getting to work with him.

We wanted an Xbox; my mom made sure we got that Xbox no matter what. We had all those things. We never went hungry. We had food on the dining table. She worked extra to make sure we got what we wanted, so I’m very grateful for that.

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Q: Apparently you were a musician growing up. Is that correct? How did you get into that?

A: I was the first bass in the orchestra for eight years, from fifth grade all the way through high school, on and off when I changed schools, but I still took lessons. I had to choose between band, orchestra and choir, or general music, and I wanted to be involved in something. I don’t know why I chose the bass, but I chose the bass and I loved it. Upright bass.

Question: Are you still playing?

A: I don’t play. However, I am considering purchasing an electric bass.