Giants’ Nate Ebner eyeing Olympic return in rugby

He’s won Super Bowls before, but New York Giants safety Nate Ebner is ready to take his talent back to the hunt for a Gold Medal.

The 30-year-old veteran is one of 30 people trying out for 12 spots on the United States Men’s National Rugby Team to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Ebner has previously been a member of the 2016 Olympic Rugby team, where he got to be a part of the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

“To be a part of Team USA is extremely special and being from this country and what it means to be an American, and those things really resonated with me in the opening ceremony,” Ebner said in an interview with Giants.com.

The Olympic Rugby team’s head coach, Mike Friday, only had positive words for Ebner. “He is not only a talented athlete, rugby player and Olympian, he is a durable individual who knows how to grind and is selfless for the cause.”

Giants coach Joe Judge saw Ebner participate in the Olympics while a member of the New England Patriots and has given Ebner’s pursuit of glory another vote of confidence.

“This is the second time I have been with Nate while he tries to make the team to represent our country in the Olympics,” Judge said. “We know that rugby has been an important part of Nate’s life since he was a young man, and Dave (Gettleman) and I both encouraged him to pursue this opportunity. Nate’s rugby training will keep him in great shape this offseason, and we will stay in touch with him as he goes through the process.”

The Games, for which rugby will play between July 26th and July 28th, would likely conflict with the beginning of Giants training camp. However, Judge and the Giants are willing to allow that for Ebner as he continues to represent the United States at the Olympics.