New season of 'Dancing with the Stars' kicks off Monday night!

NEW YORK (WABC) -- With final rehearsals under their belts, the latest crop of celebrities will be hitting the ballroom Monday for the season 22 premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

There are 12 new contestants, from a football legend to a morning-show meteorologist who will be competing for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.

Football players have done well in the past, culminating with retired player Emmitt Smith winning in the early seasons. But it's been a couple of years since the last NFL player competed, and this time around, there's a trio from the gridiron in it to win it. That means one quarter of the field is famous for football.

"I think we like to perform well on a big stage," wide receiver Antonio Brown said. "You know, it's a challenge. We respond well to challenges, and we embrace and love the show."

Brown and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller are competing against retired quarterback Doug Flutie.

"He definitely has the discipline as an athlete," dance partner Karina Smirnoff said. "And besides that, I think he really knows how to have fun."

But "fun" is not a word everyone would use to describe the experience.

"I knew this was something going into it that I would really have to push myself beyond what was

comfortable," Fuller House actress Jodi Sweetin said. "And I am willing to do it."

Sweetin was introduced on Good Morning America, where Ginger Zee is doing double duty continuing to appear on that show while rehearsing in the city and taking care of 2-month-old son Adrian.

"Physically, it's going to go, it's going to tighten me right up," she said. "Emotionally, it's going to be tough. I think even the quick trip out to L.A., you go 'oh my gosh,' so we're going to have to bring

the baby sometimes. He's going to be dancing with us."

Dancing with the Stars has a way of bringing out the kid in everyone, says Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris.

"We're going to rock it out," he said. "Yeah we are."

But at least one of the contestants is feeling his age.

"Aside from the sore muscles and the clumsy feet, I'm fine," Geraldo Rivera said.

Their reasons for being here are as varied as their different personalities.

"It's a good way for me to say I'm back," actress Marla Maples said. "My daughter is graduating from college, and this is my way to really get out in the world again."

"I'm very excited about doing something new and different kicking off my 40th year in the industry," actress Kim Fields said.

"We're just ready to dance," model Nyle DiMarco said.

DiMarco is the first totally deaf contestant in show history, and he said he can feel the vibrations of the beat. So he has been rehearsing with the music cranked up, and professional partner Peta Mergatroyd says he's good at picking up steps right away because he is used to thinking in visual terms.

Dancing with the Stars Season 22 premieres Monday at 8 p.m. on Channel 7.