Ex-Giants safety Nate Ebner withdraws from U.S. Olympic Rugby team contention
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Former New York Giants safety and special teams captain, Nate Ebner, could be returning to the Giants sooner than expected.
Ebner announced via Twitter on Tuesday that he is withdrawing from his contention for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Rugby team due to injury. The team is scheduled to play in next month’s games in Tokyo.
“It pains me to announce my withdrawal from competing for a spot at the Tokyo Olympics with the USA Men’s Sevens,” Ebner revealed in a statement on social media. “After the 2020 NFL season, I had an injury that required off-season surgery. While my recovery is on track for the next football season, unfortunately the time tables did not align with trials for the Games.
“Thank you to USA Rugby for welcoming me back into the squad like family. And thank you to the players working so hard to make the Olympic team and help the United States bring home a medal. I’d also like to thank the New York Giants for their support as I chase another dream. I look forward to the 2021 NFL season and will continue to work hard every day to be ready.
“Finally, thank you to all those who supported my journey thus far. Your encouragement has been amazing and motivates me to keep pushing forward.”
— Nate Ebner (@NateEbner) June 22, 2021
Ebner has a close relationship with Giants head coach Joe Judge, who coached Ebner for years in New England before the two were reunited in New Jersey last season. It is almost a foregone conclusion the two will reunite this summer now with the Giants, pending Ebner’s health.
“Technically Nate is a free agent right now but we fully intend for him to be a member of the Giants and he has to go through Olympic rugby training and we’re supporting him with that,” Judge said in May. “But that’s an experience I’ve been through with him before. Actually he returned from the Olympics in 2016 and had a tremendous year for us. So I’ve gone through this before with him. I understand exactly how his training applies, rugby and can lead into football, and look, honestly it was one of his most productive years ever.”
Ebner played all 16 games for the Giants last year and was on the field for 81 percent of the special teams snaps.
“He’s a guy that’s very locked in and focused. He was a captain last year and is a great team leader. This team, what he’s helping build is very important for him and while I don’t speak for anyone else, I don’t mind going echoing that for Nate because I know I can speak very directly and honestly. But look, he’s a very important part of this team and we look forward to getting him back.”
