Olympics - page 20

NFL New England Patriots player Nate Ebner has been selected and named by USA Rugby men’s Sevens coach Mike Friday to represent the country at the Olympics in Brazil.

It has been 92 years since Rugby was included in the Olympic Games, the last in 1924 when the United States won the Gold medal, a time when each team had 15 players each compared to today’s 12.

Nate Ebner was chosen as he was a star rugby player throughout his childhood learning it from his father Jeff who played college rugby. His accolades in rugby include being the youngest player to play for USA Sevens team, was named the MVP of the under-19 Junior World Championships, and MVP of the under-20 World Championship the following year.

Nate transitioned to football at the Ohio State and was selected sixth-round draft pick in 2012 by the Patriots to join the Special teams.

Nate Ebner has the go ahead approval of Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

NFL congratulates Ebner as the only active NFL player to play in the Olympics:

Congratulations, @Natebner34 on making the @USARugby squad! ? #RoadtoRio pic.twitter.com/FdbZuWSry2

— NFL (@NFL) July 19, 2016

Patriots are excited for Ebner:

.@Natebner34 selected to @USARugby @Olympics team: https://t.co/MILLhYAJ2J pic.twitter.com/Zaq1oSifka

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 18, 2016

Nate Ebner has been training with the U.S. team for four months now and upon his selection he could be the third player to have a Super Bowl ring and Olympic medal. The two other men are “Bullet” Bob Hayes, of the Super Bowl VI Dallas Cowboys and won two gold medals in sprinting in 1964, and former San Francisco 49ers Michael Carter, who won a silver medal in shot put at the 1984 Games.

Jahvid Best is another NFL player who played for the Detriot Lions and will represent St. Lucia in the 100 meter sprint.