RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (WHDH) - New England Patriot, Nate Ebner, is going the distance for team USA in his first love–rugby. His mom, Nancy Pritchett, shared an intimate look on why this game is the most important in his life.
Pritchett gets nervous watching him on the football field. “There have been moments when I’m like, ‘is that Nate on the ground?'” she said.
She said she’s not nearly as nervous when he plays Rugby, but knows Nate will give it his all in Rio.
“He doesn’t expect anything to be given to him…” said Pritchett. “He expects to earn it all,” she added.
Nate’s first love is rugby, which his father Jeff taught him.
“His dad was a big rugby player,” said Pritchett.
“So, when Nate was growing up, you know, he took him to the rugby fields all the time with him,” she said. “They played rugby constantly, every weekend,” she added.
Pritchett said they shared a passion for the game.
Jeff Ebner was Nate’s personal coach, father and best friend. When Nate was in college, tragedy struck during a robbery at the family business–Jeff Ebner was attacked and died of his wounds.
“When his father was killed, Nate went into just a dark place…” said Pritchett.
After months of grieving, Pritchett encouraged Nate to carry on with some wise words.
“If your dad was standing here next to me, he would be so upset you weren’t moving on,” said Prichett.
Nate quit rugby and took up football. He found success at both Ohio State and as a New England special teams stand-out.
For Ebner, coming back to play rugby on Team USA is a family legacy that lives on.
“For him, it’s his dream,” said Pritchett. “For his father, if his father were here, it would be his proudest moment,” she added.
There are so many inspirational athletes in Rio and Nate Ebner is certainly one of them. He’ll head back to Foxboro and put the pads on after rugby competition wraps up.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)