'Dancing' athletes grace the stage

Hollywood Wrap with George Pennacchio
LOS ANGELES This season, athletes again hope to mix it up on the dance floor. Monday night, it's the men's turn.

Mixed martial arts legend /*Chuck Liddell*/ punches his way out of the ring and onto the dance floor.

He'll be joined by snowboarding champ and Olympic hopeful /*Louie Vito*/.

/*Michael Irvin*/, one of the most successful wide receivers in the history of the NFL, is also a contestant.

"I keep saying in here, what did I get myself into? What did you sign up for?" says Irvin.

Irvin says the only dance experience he's had was in the end zone celebrating after a touchdown.

His partner /*Anna Demidova*/ began his rigorous training regime in his Dallas area neighborhood.

He says, so far, it's been a blast.

But the reality of this reality show is starting to sink in.

"It's fun in this room because it's just three or four people, and they know how poorly I dance. Now, we have to do it in front of 20 million people, wow," he adds.

There is one part of this process Michael is very much looking forward to which is, believe it or not, the costumes.

"This is the best part, the dressing, the outfits, it looks like something I've been wearing all of my life! Seems good to me," Irvin says, laughing.

Michael and the other seven male contestants take to the dance floor Monday for round one of "Dancing With The Stars."

Report Typo |  Send Tip |  Get Alerts | Most Popular
Follow @abc7 on Twitter  |  Become a fan on Facebook

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.