Nate Ebner is the latest star athlete to put his career on hold in a bid to play in the rugby tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The American footballer will take a leave of absence from his club, the New England Patriots, to try to win a place in the USA rugby sevens team that will battle for a place on the podium in Brazil this August.

The 27-year-old defensive back, who won the Super Bowl in 2015, follows in the footsteps of Sonny Bill Williams, Bryan Habana and Quade Cooper, who have put their rugby union careers on hold in the hope of represening New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, respectively, in the Olympic Games.

Ebner, who played for the US rugby sevens team as a teenager, said in a statment: “I want to thank the Patriots 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.”

“I can't put into words how much this opportunity means to not only me, but my friends and family as well”

Nate Ebner

Ebner started training at the US Olympic team’s California base on Tuesday (15 March) and will rejoin the Patriots after the Olympic rugby tournament finishes on 11 August. In a conference call with the American press, he added: “Growing up playing rugby, we didn't have the opportunity to play in the Olympics... just the idea of being a part of the Olympics would be humbling and amazing.”

We are proud to support @Natebner34 in his effort to earn a place on the United States National Rugby team.

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) 15 de março de 2016

Rugby union, the traditional 15-player version of the game, was played at the Olympic Games in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924. The sport will return to the Olympic fold this year in the shorter, more dynamic seven-a-side version, and many of the game’s biggest names are determined to be involved.

Become a rugby sevens expert with our interactive infographic

New Zealand two-time Rugby World Cup winner Williams, himself a former rugby league player and professional boxer, has taken a break from his union career in a bid to represent the All Blacks in Rio. Australia’s Cooper has also negotiated leave from his union club to join the World Rugby Sevens Series in the hope of winning a place in his nation’s Olympic team, as has South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Habana.

Friends and rivals: Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill Williams at the Sydney Sevens tournament (Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)

However, while all these players are established stars in their sports, it has been repeatedly stressed – by coaches and the players themselves – that a place in their Olympic teams is far from guaranteed, as they will need to prove they can adapt to rugby sevens.

As Ebner said: “I am absolutely not guaranteed a spot. I have to try out for the team like anybody else and I have to earn a spot like anybody. I'm just lucky to even have the opportunity to even try.”

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