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National Football League player Nate Ebner makes Olympic rugby squad
Posted On Jul 19 2016
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The diverse roster includes athletes from across the country, global rugby stars and an NFL Super Bowl Champion.
Nate Ebner practicing at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., July 14, 2016.
The Patriots can expect Ebner back following the rugby competition, which runs from August 6-11. Best whose inclusion on St. Lucia’s team was announced a day earlier, was the first-ever former National Football League player to make the Olympics.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the Patriots from top to bottom for giving me the opportunity to come back and play for a truly first-class organization”, Ebner said.
Sidenote: Ebner received $500,000 guaranteed when he signed his two-year extension with the Patriots, but that money is to be delivered in two separate periods. Terms were not disclosed. “Thanks again and Go Pats and go U.S.”.
What do the Patriots have to do now that Ebner is not reporting to training camp? Now that he’s made it, New England is supporting him once again.
Former Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best was chosen to the Olympic team of his father’s home country, St. Lucia, to participate in track and field.
Rugby has not been played in the Olympics sincet he US team won the gold medal in 1924.
All Rugby Sevens matches to be played at Deodoro Stadium Aug. 6-8.
Ebner has been playing rugby since he was a child, was later in the U.S. under-19 and under-20 squads, and was an all-round rugby player throughout college. (The U.S.is actually the two-time defending champions.) The game will be different than when the 15-player rugby union played, as the Rio Games will showcase a faster, shorter version called rugby sevens.
Team GB Head Coach (Women) Simon Middleton said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for women’s rugby with sevens making its debut at the Olympic Games and we believe we have selected the best possible group of players to achieve success in Rio”.
Ebner’s success in reaching the United States of America men’s sevens squad should not be underestimated as a number of high profile athletes have attempted to make the jump between codes prior to next month’s Rio Olympics and have failed.
