Ebner, who also worked on special teams to help the Patriots capture Super Bowl XLIX a year ago, was given permission by the team last March to chase his Olympic dream, making him the only National Football League (NFL) player with a chance to capture gold in Brazil. Ebner, who has played special teams for the Patriots the past four seasons, was a rugby player long before he walked onto the Ohio State football team as a junior.
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They saw No. 12 – no, not in honor of Tom Brady – score just as the first half ended and then get yellow-carded in the second half for laying out Brazilian reserve Gustavo Albuquerque on a hit that would have drawn praise in Foxborough but earned him jeers and a two-minute penalty at Deodoro Stadium.
Nothing could stifle Dan Payne’s spirits Tuesday, not even the US team’s heartbreaking 17-14 loss in rugby sevens when Argentina scored after the siren.
Ebner missed the Pats-Saints joint practice Tuesday and taking a leave from off-season football to compete at the Rio Olympics. For Ebner, this means he will be heading to training camp to prepare for the National Football League season along with his teammates who should have gained a whole new respect for the safety after seeing his athletic prowess on the world’s stage. “We want them to aspire to be future rugby Olympians and share that goal, and that really helps the game grow and fills the stands”.
Diego de Leon, who has played for three years with North Shore, said that having rugby back in the Olympics will help educate Americans who may be unfamiliar with the game.
“Nate’s a phenomenal athlete, and he’s got a rugby background growing up”, said team captain Madison Hughes after the match.
“It’s been a great experience, something I’ve never experienced before”.
Rugby sevens is a sped-up version of rugby union which features teams of seven in matches with seven-minute halves. “That’s one of the best teams in the world”. I wish my Dad was here to see it.
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“It will be a good team-building exercise, I’m sure”, he said. “It’s always tough to sell rugby to football fans, but I think Ebner can play a pivotal role in convincing people”. “No one runs or tackles like this, it’s unreal”.
