Five things to know about safety and special teams ace Nate Ebner:
1. Originally drafted by New England in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft, Ebner played for the Patriots from 2012-19, the same eight years Giants coach Joe Judge was either a Patriots special teams assistant or coordinator.
2. The 6-foot, 215-pounder has played in 111 regular-season games and 16 postseason contests (including three Super Bowls). He made his impact on special teams, where he totaled 98 tackles. Ebner had more than 10 special teams tackles in six of his eight seasons, with a high of 19 stops in 2016. That year, he was named to the Associated Press All-Pro Second Team as a special teamer. His Patriots teammate Matthew Slater was on the First Team.
3. The Patriots won all three Super Bowls in which Ebner played. He was sidelined for New England's loss to Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII after tearing his ACL while running for 14 yards and a first down on a fake punt vs. Miami.
4. Ebner did not play football in high school, but was a very talented rugby player growing up. He was a standout on the United States U19 and U20 national teams from 2006-08 and was MVP of the Rugby World Cup in 2008 as a member of the U20 team. One year later, he walked on to the football team at Ohio State and finished his collegiate career as a scholarship player. Ebner was selected to the 2016 U.S. Olympic rugby squad, becoming the seventh player in NFL history and first since James Trapp to participate in the Olympics and also win a pro football championship. Ebner is the only player to participate in the Olympics and win an NFL championship in the same year.
5. At Ohio State, Ebner was voted as the team's most inspirational player and presented with the Bo-Rein Award at the end of the 2011 season. He was also voted the best special teams player for the 2011 season. He is a native of Dublin, Ohio.
View photos of safety/special teamer Nate Ebner.
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) stands on the sideline prior to an an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Houston. Houston won 28-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
FILE - At left, in an Aug. 10, 2016, file photo, United States's Nate Ebner, front left, is tackled by Brazil's Stefano Giantorno, left back, during the men's rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At right, in a Feb. 1, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) run onto the field before the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks, in Glendale, Ariz. The quest for gold and America's insatiable appetite for reality television are merging this summer with an Olympic scouting camp that will ultimately be packaged as a one-episode reality show. Patriots special teamer Nate Ebner is one of three players to wear NFL uniforms who went on to earn a spot on the U.S. rugby team in the reintroduction of that sport to the Olympics last year. (AP Photo/File)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) in action during NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots defeated the Rams, 13-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner (43) covers a kick off in action against the New York Jets Sunday December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) runs up field during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs defeated the Patriots 23-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) after an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs won 23-16. (Aaron Doster via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) stands in pass coverage during NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) sprints downfield on special teams coverage during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 17-10. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) in coverage during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. New England won 33-0. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) sprints downfield during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Patriots 37-20. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) after an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs won 23-16. (Aaron Doster via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner, left, blocks a punt by Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) covers a kickoff return during the NFL Super Bowl 53 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) speaks with teammates on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) runs down field on special teams kick coverage during the NFL week 7 regular season football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 in Chicago. The Patriots won the game 38-31. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) makes a reception during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 34-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) lines up on a kickoff in action against the Indianapolis Colts Thursday October 4, 2018 in Foxboro, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via (AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner warms up before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) catches a pass during pregame warmups before the NFL week 7 regular season football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 in Chicago. The Patriots won the game 38-31. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) after an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs won 23-16. (Aaron Doster via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (38) sprints downfield on special teams coverage during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, Orchard Park, NY. The Patriots defeated the Bills 25-6. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner (43) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Denver. New England won 41-16. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner runs on the field as he prepares to warm up prior to action against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL AFC Championship football game on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Steelers 36-17. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) during the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 in Denver. The Broncos won, 20-18. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New England Patriots special teams player Nate Ebner (43) waits for a kickoff in action against the Miami Dolphins Thursday October 29, 2015 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) celebrates with punter Ryan Allen, right, and outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) after he recovered a punt in overtime of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos early Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, September 11, 2016, in Glendale, AZ. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) is seen in action during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2014 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 34-9. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner (43) waits for the offense during an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 14, 2014. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 30-7 in Week 2 at TCF Bank Stadium. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) motions with his hand on the sideline during the 2016 NFL week 11 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Patriots won the game 30-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New England Patriots special teams player Nate Ebner (43) waits for a kickoff in action against the Miami Dolphins Thursday October 29, 2015 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) on the sideline during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) lines up in position during an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Thursday, August 7, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. Washington won 23-6. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner (43) looks into the backfield during an NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, TX. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner (43) covers a kick off in action against the New York Jets Sunday December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner (43) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, December 18, 2016. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 16-3. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner (43) covers a kick off in action against the New York Jets Sunday December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Exner (43) drops into coverage in action against the Tennessee Titans Sunday December 20, 2015 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner #43 on special teams during the NFL Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots on Sunday, December 6th 2015 in Foxborough, Mass. The Eagles won 35-28. (Brian Garfinkel via AP Images)
New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) celebrates with punter Ryan Allen, right, and outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) after he recovered a punt in overtime of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos early Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
COMMERCIAL IMAGE In this photograph taken by AP Images for USA Rugby Seven, Ohio State's Nate Ebner, left, tries to bring down Utah's Hayden McMullin during the first half of a USA 7's Rugby Collegiate Championship Invitational match in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, June 4, 2010. (Paul Vernon/AP Images for USA Rugby Seven)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) slides to the turf as New England Patriots' Dont'a Hightower (54) prepares to make the tackle and Nate Ebner (43) moves in to help during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. The Panthers won 24-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2016, file photo, New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (10) during the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. Ebner went from rugby to the Patriots’ top tackler on special teams. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Brazil's Daniel Sancery, front, is tackled by United States's Nate Ebner, during the men's rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
United States's Nate Ebner, during the men's rugby sevens match against Brazil at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
United States's Nate Ebner, front left, is tackled by Brazil's Stefano Giantorno, left back, during the men's rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
United States's Nate Ebner, second from left, is tackled by Brazil's Daniel Sancery, during the men's rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
United States's Nate Ebner, scores a try during the men's rugby sevens match against Brazil at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
United States's Nate Ebner, scores a try during the men's rugby sevens match against Brazil at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Giants App
Download the Giants' official app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
