For most young football players, the dream - the ultimate dream, the dream that trumps all other dreams - is to make it to the NFL. There lies everlasting glory, the adoration of legions of fans and heck, even a million dollar paycheck. But it's not the money that draws young men, young men who grew up idolizing the likes of Patrick Willis and Calvin Johnson, to the National Football League - it's love of the game. Love of the sport. Love for competition and the desire to find greatness via the battleground that is football.
But the NFL isn't every young football player's dream. For some, it's a job like any other. For New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner, his feelings probably fall somewhere between the two extremes, but of his truest dream, there is no question.
It's to be a member of the USA Rugby Olympic team. And Ebner, a fifth-year NFLer, is about to undertake that dream.
With blessings from the Patriots, Ebner announced Tuesday that he'll be taking a leave of absence from the NFL and New England in order to participate in training for the U.S. Olympic ruby team and the upcoming summer games in Rio.
After first thanking the Patriots for allowing him to remain with a "truly first-class organization" - the team recently announced that they had re-signed their special teams ace - Ebner, an All-American rugby player during his time at Ohio State, made clear that rugby is and has been his dream since childhood.
"I also want to thank them and USA Rugby for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream I've had since I was a boy in a sport in which I've always had a passion," Ebner said. "I can't put into words how much this opportunity means to not only me, but my friends and family as well.
"I plan to represent the Patriots and our country to the best of my ability. Thanks again and Go Pats and go USA."
The Pats took the opportunity to show their support for Ebner, to whom they had given permission to chase his Olympic rugby dream.
We are proud to support @Natebner34 in his effort to earn a place on the United States National Rugby team.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 15, 2016
Ebner is scheduled to rejoin the Patriots following the Olympic rugby competition, which will be held from Aug. 6 through Aug. 11.
