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In American rugby, it doesn’t take much looking to find a story about a football player that converted to rugby. However, the number of rugby players that have successfully converted to football is a relatively short list. Nate Ebner is one of the most famous rugby to football converts in US history. Ebner, who grew up playing rugby in Ohio, represented the USA at the age grade level in rugby before setting his sights on football glory. After the tragic death of his Father, he walked onto the Ohio State football team during his junior year. He quickly became a team leader and special teams stalwart. He played well enough to not only earn a scholarship, but also played his way into the NFL after being drafted by the New England Patriots in 2012.
Ebner, 27, has since spent his time as a leader on the Patriots special teams and has seen time at both free safety and linebacker playing in nearly every New England game since the start of his career. He was a part of the Patriots team that won the Super Bowl XLIX at the conclusion of the 2014 season.
His outstanding work led to a recent two year contract extension with the Patriots. A contract that had one caveat. Ebner is going to make a run at making the Olympics with Team USA. As of today, Ebner is taking a leave of absence from the Patriots and is joining the USA at the Olympic Training Center with the goal of making the squad for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Unlike football crossovers that have a massive learning curve when transitioning to rugby, Ebner was already on his way to becoming a World Class rugby player before going to football. His transition back to rugby should come at an accelerated pace.
Ebner’s last live rugby action came at the inaugural CRC 7s tournament. He has since remained visible showing up at high profile rugby events in the USA. With four stops left on the HSBC World Series this season, there is a chance fans could see Ebner suiting up for the USA in the coming months as Head Coach Mike Friday looks to solidify his roster heading into Rio.
