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Agence France-Presse

New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner was named Monday to the US rugby sevens team for the Rio Olympics, making him the only National Football League player with a chance to capture gold in Brazil.
Ebner, who also worked on special teams to help the Patriots capture last year’s Super Bowl title, was given permission by the team last March to chase his Olympic dream, an opportunity he called “humbling” and “amazing”.
WATCH: NFL’s Nate Ebner bags a brace on his Singapore Sevens debut for USA

Ebner will miss about two weeks of pre-season workouts for New England coach Bill Belichick while with the American squad.
“I’m going to miss a few things I don’t want to, but at the end of the day it’s a really big opportunity for me,” Ebner said.
“I think Bill understands rugby is a passion of mine and that’s where my background lies.”
NFL player Nate Ebner driven by father’s memory to make US sevens side for the Olympics
Ebner was the youngest-ever USA sevens player at age 17 before going to Ohio State, where he split time with rugby and American football until he started his NFL career, while never losing his love for rugby.
“Even though he will be away from our team during an important period of our off-season, he will still be getting excellent physical training,” Belichick said.
“I expect him to be ready for the football season like he always is.”
The Americans, who won gold when rugby was last played in the Olympics back in 1924 in the 15-a-side format, will be captained by Madison Hughes, the all-time US scoring leader on the World Rugby Sevens Series, and will include regulars Zack Test, Folau Niua, Danny Barrett, Garrett Bender and Maka Unufe.
Carlin Isles, dubbed “the fastest man in rugby”, and Perry Baker, the second-highest try-scorer from the 2015-16 international circuit, are also featured along with Andrew Durutalo and Chris Wyles, who took the European Champions Cup and English Premiership double with Saracens this past season.

USA sevens squad for Rio Olympics
Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Garrett Bender, Andrew Durutalo, Nate Ebner, Madison Hughes (c), Carlin Isles, Folau Niua, Ben Pinkelman, Zack Test, Maka Unufe, Chris Wyles


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Rio 2016 Olympic Games

The Nate show: Super Bowl winner Ebner earns USA sevens call-up for the Olympics

New England patriots defensive back Nate Ebner runs with the ball during a Team USA rugy sevens training session at the Olympic Center in Chula Vista, California on Friday. Photos: AFP

Carlin Isles, “the fastest man in rugby”, has been named in a powerful US sevens squad for the Rio Games.

Nate Ebner called up for American Eagles at Hong Kong Sevens 

Nate Ebner at the Hong Kong Football Club. Photo: AFP

Nate Ebner playing for Samurai International against Natixis HKFC on the first day of the GFI HKFC 10s at Hong Kong Football Club. Photo: Power Sport Images

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner was named Monday to the US rugby sevens team for the Rio Olympics, making him the only National Football League player with a chance to capture gold in Brazil.


HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2015-16

Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2016