Former Ohio State Standout Nate Ebner Will Not Participate In Tokyo Olympics Due To Injury

Ebner played for the U.S. Olympic rugby team at the 2016 Rio Games.

Former Ohio State safety and special teams standout Nate Ebner announced on Tuesday that he won’t play for the U.S. Olympic rugby team at the Tokyo Games next month after suffering and having surgery on an undisclosed injury this offseason.

pic.twitter.com/8ZB1d3XY20

— Nate Ebner (@NateEbner) June 22, 2021

“It pains me to announce my withdrawal from competing for a spot at the Tokyo Olympics with the USA Men’s Sevens,” Ebner wrote in a post on Twitter. “After the 2020 NFL Season, I had an injury that required offseason 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.”

A walk-on from Hilliard (Ohio) Davidson, Ebner recorded 30 tackles on special teams in three seasons with the Buckeyes from 2009-11. He was a three-time academic All-Big Ten selection and received the Bo Rein Award during his senior season as the team’s most inspirational player.

Ebner was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft and spent eight seasons with the franchise, winning three Super Bowls. He also competed in the 2016 Olympics, though the rugby sevens team ultimately finished ninth in Rio.

Ebner signed a free-agent deal with the New York Giants last offseason, where he was reunited with head coach Joe Judge, who previously served as the Patriots wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator. He’s recorded 103 tackles, one pass break up and one forced fumble in his NFL career, which spans 127 games.

-----

You may also like:

2022 Tennessee Running Back Dallan Hayden Commits To Ohio State

How Hayden's Commitment Impacts The Buckeyes' 2022 Recruiting Class

Ohio State G Duane Washington Invited To NBA Draft Combine

Ohio State Alumni Team Carmen's Crew No. 1 Seed In The Basketball Tournament

Supreme Court Unanimously Rules Against NCAA In Athlete Compensation Case

Former Ohio State Track Star Christina Clemons Qualifies For Tokyo Olympics

Ohio State Swimmer Hunter Armstrong Officially Named To U.S. Olympic Team

Eddie George Hires Pepe Pearson, Richard McNutt To Tennessee State Staff

2023 Florida Wide Receiver Brandon Inniss Sets Unofficial Visit To Ohio State

Former USC LB Palaie Gaoteote Appears In Ohio State's Student Directory

The Ohio State Football Program Hosts Eighth Job Fair At Ohio Stadium

Jyaire Brown Becomes Latest Ohio State Pledge To Commit To All-American Bowl

2022 Ohio State CB Target Toriano Pride Commits To Clemson

Big Ten Media Days Will Officially Be Held In Indianapolis In July

Former Ohio State F Jae'Sean Tate Named To All-NBA Rookie First Team

Las Vegas Raiders Sign Former Ohio State LB Darron Lee

-----

Be sure to stay locked into BuckeyesNow all the time!

Join the BuckeyesNow community!
Subscribe to the BuckeyesNow YouTube channel
Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AndrewMLind
Follow BuckeyesNow on Twitter: @BuckeyesNowSI
Like and follow BuckeyesNow on Facebook