Ebner makes history: In the USA men’s rugby sevens team’s 26-0 win against Brazil on Tuesday, 27-year-old New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner scored a try and received a yellow card for a an illegal hit.
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The Patriots special teamer and his teammates on the USA men’s rugby team were eliminated from medal contention after a 24-19 loss to Fiji today.
Ebner, who also worked on special teams to help the Patriots capture Super Bowl XLIX past year, 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.
Instead, the Americans will be relegated to playing the loser’s bracket now.
The U.S. placed ninth overall in the tournament after falling to top-seeded Fiji, 24-19 on Wednesday.
Ebner does point out in the video how his teammates may not have known what was going on in the game, but the support alone will be something he and his teammates will bond over once he gets back to the U.S to get ready for the 2016 National Football League season.
“I’ve seen that a time or two”, Slater said, laughing.
The win put them in second place in Pool A. Earlier in the day, Team USA lost their first match against Argentina, 17-14.
Nate Ebner #43 as a member of the New England Patriots.
“Sevens and football are very different games”.
The Patriots have been given a roster exemption to be able to carry Ebner while not having him count against the 90-man player limit. Then, with 2:26 to play in the game, Josua Tuisova caught a sweep on the right side of the field and jogged his way in for the score.
“It’s been a great experience, something I’ve never experienced before”.
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He said he believes his time in rugby has had an impact both on him and on his friends and family, who told him they have enjoyed watching him in rugby as much as football. “And it’s an honor to be here with this group of guys that works so hard”.
