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Former Ohio State and current New England Patriots defensive back, Nate Ebner, has been reported as absent from training camp.
Unlike players past, there will be no harsh punishment on Ebner as he seeks an Olympic medal for Team USA in the rugby sevens.
Ebner, who played two seasons of rugby at Ohio before joining the football team in his junior year, has Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick’s approval.
“It’s a great opportunity for him to follow his passion… we’re pulling for him to bring back something around his neck”.
The 2012 sixth-round draft pick was equally excited to make the roster for the Rio Olympics, stating “I literally put everything I had into this… hard work pays off”.
Ebner’s love of rugby stems from his father, a former rugby player. Deeper than a desire to win will be Ebner’s heartache of knowing his father will be unable to watch him take field against Argentina at Deodoro Stadium, on August ninth.
Jeff Ebner was murdered in 2008 following an attempted robbery. “That connection with father and son is bigger than sport itself” said Patriots special team captain, Matthew Slater.
Team USA will have their work cut out for them at the Rio Olympics, pooled with heavy gold-medal favourites Fiji, along with Argentina, and Brazil.
Fiji will not feature former NFL player Jarryd Hayne, as he was unsuccessful in his attempts to land a spot among a talented Fijian rugby side.
The USA squad: 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