1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:04,160 Speaker 1: It's time to get inside the Giants Huddle on Giants 2 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: dot Com and the Giant the Giants Podcast Network. Welcome 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: to the newest edition of The Giants Huddle podcast. John 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: Smoke with you today's guest Nate Ebner, who will talk 5 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: with our very own Madeline Burke, about his career in rugby, 6 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: the NFL, and the relationship with his father, Jeff Evner, 7 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 1: who was tragically murdered back in two thousand and eight 8 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: in an attempted robbery. But first on our line, everybody 9 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: to get vaccinated. Go to COVID nineteen dot MJ dot 10 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: gov slash vaccine to register and don't miss that on 11 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: your chance to experience a premiere hospitality experience watching Giant 12 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: games world class concerts in one is a Giant Sweet partner. 13 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: Limited full season locations are available or plays with Depositive 14 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 1: for individual games called eight n y g or visit 15 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: Giants dot com slash sweets for more information. And now 16 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: let's get to our guest. He is Nate Ebner, who 17 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: played for the Giants in expected to resign in He 18 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,760 Speaker 1: participated in the Olympics in two thousand sixteen for rugby. 19 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 1: He is trying to do the same this year in 20 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: he just wrote a book called Finnish Strong, talking about 21 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:16,839 Speaker 1: that pursuit and the relationship with his father, Jeff Evner, 22 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:20,679 Speaker 1: who again was tragically murdered back in two thousand and eight. 23 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,759 Speaker 1: Here's our very own Metaline Bark with Nate Evner. I'm 24 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 1: joined now by a three time Super Bowl champion who 25 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: didn't even play football until college, Nate Evner. I understand 26 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 1: rugby is your first love in terms of sport. I 27 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: gotta know, how would you describe the biggest difference between 28 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: rugby and football? How would I describe the biggest difference? 29 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:46,679 Speaker 1: Um Man, where do I start? They're extremely different to me, um, 30 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: I think they're really not similar at all. Actually, other 31 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: than the fact that you tackle people, that's similar, and 32 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: you know, you run around and stuff in their physical games. 33 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: But um, you know, ultimately you're trying to move the 34 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: ball forward in both games, but you do it differently. 35 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 1: And rugby you gotta pass backwards and run it forward, 36 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 1: whereas football, you know, there's a line of scrimmage and 37 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 1: it's set, and receivers can run down field and you 38 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: can pass the ball forward obviously, and um so philosophically 39 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 1: they are two very different games. I would almost venture 40 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,919 Speaker 1: to say from a flow standpoint, rugby is a lot 41 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 1: more similar to basketball in my opinion. So that's interesting. 42 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 1: That is an interesting comparison. I mean, I know, for you, 43 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 1: Rugby King, first, you were an All American rugby player 44 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:37,239 Speaker 1: at Ohio State and you walked on to the football 45 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 1: team in your junior year. I'm curious how you made 46 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: that transition. Um, well, there's a lot of a lot 47 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: of work. Um, but you know, to make that decision mentally, Um, 48 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 1: you know, I was played in a couple of Junior 49 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 1: World Cups leading up to that point. As you said, 50 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: I was All American as a freshman at Ohio State, 51 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 1: and um, I got to the point where the Junior 52 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: World Cups were kind of done for me as an 53 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: age grade thing. And I was kind of in limbo 54 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: between playing professional rugby and playing for the national team, 55 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: and I was just at Ohio State playing club rugby, 56 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,800 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, it is what it is. I 57 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: just kind of lost a little bit of, uh, you know, 58 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 1: passion for in the club rugby since I wanted more 59 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: from my teammates and more from just the game as 60 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:31,920 Speaker 1: a whole. Because I was so used to playing it 61 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: at an international level. Um that I think that kind 62 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:38,760 Speaker 1: of got me to look in other directions. And you know, 63 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: my senior year in high school, I wanted to play football. 64 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: I chose not to. And uh my high school team 65 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: won the Division one state championship in Ohio. So that 66 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: was a bitter sweet. Like I always say, they didn't 67 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 1: need me obviously, but not being a part of that 68 00:03:55,960 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 1: was something that I thought about. And um, I think 69 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 1: that where I was in a stand still with rugby. 70 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: You know, I'm at Ohio State, one of the biggest 71 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: football schools in the in the country, in the world, 72 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 1: and you know I was I just had that hunger 73 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: to do it, and I decided I would go for it. 74 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 1: And I had a conversation with my dad and said, 75 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 1: you know, I think I'm gonna I'm gonna try, and 76 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: then just went to the walk on process. Um, you know, 77 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 1: I did like a little pro day type of thing, 78 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: and it was it was a lot of hard work 79 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:32,479 Speaker 1: and it was very humbling experience. You know, Athletically, I 80 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: could run and jump and do all those things like 81 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: everyone else, but it was the you know, I had 82 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 1: to learn about football and that was a huge learning 83 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: experience for me, um, not knowing anything about football at all, 84 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: I mean at all, So it was I was very 85 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,239 Speaker 1: raw and um, you know I said that was probably 86 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: the hardest part of it all, was just to learn 87 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: the game and figure out what I was doing. I mean, 88 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 1: football is a chess game for real. So yeah, well 89 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 1: and talk about baptism by fire, I mean learning foot 90 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: ball for the you know at that stage, but also 91 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: at Ohio State University, which is you know, everyone knows 92 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,040 Speaker 1: it's a pretty much powerhouse in college football, that must 93 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 1: have been quite the task to take on. Yeah, I 94 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 1: mean it was, um, but you know, I took the 95 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: mindset that you know, if I could run as faster 96 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,839 Speaker 1: faster than other guys or jump or just as strong 97 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 1: like physically, I could do what they could do. I 98 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 1: just needed to wrap my mind around the game. And um, 99 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 1: you know that took some time. But um, you know 100 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: I had enough confidence in myself, whether anyone else did 101 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: or not, um that you know, I just pushed myself 102 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: to work hard and you know, take a take a 103 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: step forward every day, whether it was a big one 104 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: or not, just small steps forward every day, and then 105 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:52,919 Speaker 1: you know, find my way on the field. I think 106 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 1: that was my first task was just find a way 107 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,279 Speaker 1: to get on the field, and that's where Special Teams 108 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,599 Speaker 1: was a huge part of you know, obviously still to 109 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:06,039 Speaker 1: this day of my life. You know, I don't think 110 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: back then when I decided to play football would have 111 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 1: wrote it that way, but um, you know I walked 112 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: on at O how to stay with the with the 113 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:15,919 Speaker 1: dream and goal of getting to the NFL, and you know, 114 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: Special Teams has been a monumental part of that entire transition. So, um, 115 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: that allowed me to get on the field early as 116 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: a young at a young age, not knowing anything about football, 117 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 1: just fly down the field and try to tackle, you know, 118 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 1: the guy with the ball. And you know I got 119 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: to learn football in the process as I went. So 120 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 1: you mentioned a conversation you had with your dad and 121 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: making that transition. I understand your dad had a huge influence, 122 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: especially in your athletic career before his untimely death, and 123 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:49,599 Speaker 1: I know that you wrote a book that is coming 124 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: out very soon called Finished Strong about that relationship. What 125 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: can you tell me about that conversation and about his 126 00:06:56,120 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 1: role in shaping you as as an athlete and a man. Well, 127 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 1: you know, he was a huge part of everything in 128 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: my life. Um obviously got me involved in rugby and um, 129 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: but got me involved in all the sports. I mean, 130 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 1: our relationship was you know, I put it up against 131 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: any father sound relationship out there. We were extremely close 132 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: and he was the best friend to me at that point. UM, 133 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: so you know, he was a big part of all 134 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: my decision making processes and UM, you know it was 135 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: like he was along on the ride with me. So 136 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: UM when I got to that point, you know, obviously 137 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: I kind of had carved out a pretty good rugby 138 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: career for myself and it was like, what steps do 139 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: I want to take to to try to maybe play 140 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: professionally and um, those types of things. So you know, 141 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 1: to walk onto a football team and I hadn't played 142 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: football on for since I was in seventh grade or whatever, Um, 143 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 1: you know, to to to leave that rugby career behind, 144 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: to to chase the dream. I mean that was you know, 145 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 1: that was saying a lot when I had done so 146 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 1: much to build that rugby career. So, UM, you know 147 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: we had that conversation, but it weighed heavy on my 148 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: heart and he heard me out. But that was, you know, 149 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 1: that was something we always did. We work out when 150 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: we have dinner together in Columbus, UM at this place 151 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: called the Athletic Club of Columbus, and we you know, 152 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 1: we'd always go down and have dinner. And we had 153 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 1: that talk that that night, and you know, that was 154 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 1: the last thing we spoke about the next day, Uh 155 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: was when you know, he had the incident at the 156 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: at the junkyard and then he passed. So UM, you know, 157 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 1: having had that conversation with him and his blessing and 158 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 1: and all that I've you know, I felt convicted that 159 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 1: I needed to make that a reality, make that come true. 160 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 1: And UM, I think you know, it was a huge 161 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 1: driving force for you know, to inspire me to get 162 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: to go for that. You know, even when it was 163 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:01,839 Speaker 1: tough and things got hard, it was something that I 164 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 1: could lean into. Um. You know, that relationship was a 165 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: foundation for everything in my life. And when you have 166 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 1: such a good foundation like that, when things get hard 167 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 1: and you you know what to lean into. UM. You know, 168 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: it was really good for me and kept me in 169 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: a very centered place, um mentally and emotionally. So UM, 170 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:27,319 Speaker 1: you know, yeah, huge part of my life, um, from 171 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 1: from just being young and playing sports together to you know, 172 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: getting me in the junkyard working you know, full days, 173 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 1: just teaching me about the important characteristics you need to have, uh, 174 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,720 Speaker 1: you know, as a man, as a human being. Um, 175 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 1: you know we talked. I talked about all that in 176 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 1: the book and uh, you know, it's it's really, if 177 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: anything else, it's it's a real genuine take on a 178 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: on a father son relationship that I think allowed me 179 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:01,439 Speaker 1: to do be a part of some things, but it 180 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 1: was all rooted in that relationship. So I can't imagine 181 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 1: what you must have gone through. I mean, your father 182 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: been killed at such a young age in a place 183 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: that you guys spent so much time together as well, 184 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:17,680 Speaker 1: and you know, writing a book in any capacity is 185 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: it is a tall task to take on. But how cathartic, 186 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 1: if if anything, was it to write this story and 187 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 1: to kind of honor his his legs in a way. Yeah. Sorry, Um, 188 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 1: you know, ultimately I think I think about that and 189 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 1: you know, something for me that was big in my 190 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: morning process, if you will, just getting through it all. 191 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 1: You know, I have the realization that I had like 192 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 1: the best dad in the world, and I had him 193 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 1: for nineteen years. Um, you know, at the end of it, 194 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:02,199 Speaker 1: like I said, we were best friends. So, um, you know, 195 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:04,319 Speaker 1: there are a lot of kids that don't have parents 196 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 1: that long, that have parents that choose not to be 197 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 1: a part of their lives, that just aren't good parents. 198 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 1: So um, yeah, I would obviously like him to still 199 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 1: be around to see everything that I've done and go 200 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:21,719 Speaker 1: on that journey with me. But you know, ultimately, I 201 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:23,880 Speaker 1: was really lucky to have the father that I had, 202 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 1: and I think I realized that, Um, I always knew it, 203 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:30,959 Speaker 1: and I think that was something once he passed that 204 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 1: I took appreciation to and I was just thankful that 205 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: I had him rather than focusing on you know that 206 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: that he was gone. So uh, you know, a big 207 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,320 Speaker 1: part of that for me was just trying to keep 208 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: the right, right mindset. You know, my mom was a 209 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: huge part of that. Um. I talked about that a 210 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:54,560 Speaker 1: little bit in the book as well. Just you know, 211 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:58,079 Speaker 1: I was, as you can imagine, right after that happened. 212 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: You know, I had dropped out of school. Um kinda 213 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 1: was in a bad place and I'm not really sure 214 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:07,840 Speaker 1: what to do. But she brought me back, you know, 215 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 1: with the conversation and basically said that, you know, you 216 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 1: gotta live a life that he would want you to 217 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:17,239 Speaker 1: live that he you know, he would be proud of um. 218 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: And I think, you know, that was a huge turning 219 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 1: point for me because she was spot on, and you know, 220 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 1: it took a lot of strength for her to say 221 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:30,319 Speaker 1: that that to her son who just lost his that 222 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:33,960 Speaker 1: his best friend. And you know, she could have easily 223 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 1: just coddled me and let me, you know, sit sit 224 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:39,679 Speaker 1: around with my hood up and and you know, stay 225 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 1: in the dark room all day. But you know, she 226 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:43,680 Speaker 1: didn't like what it was doing to me. And you 227 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 1: know she brought to light that you know, my dad 228 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: wouldn't have liked it either. So, um, she was a 229 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 1: huge part of that. And uh, like I said, ultimately 230 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:57,720 Speaker 1: trying to have that mindset of just gratitude for the 231 00:12:57,760 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: type of parents that I do have, that the father 232 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: that I did have, that was so ingrained in my life, um, 233 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 1: in every aspect of it. And um, you know, I 234 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: hope that one day, if I do have kids, that 235 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 1: I can be half of what he was to me, 236 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:17,200 Speaker 1: because he was the gold standard, if you will, for 237 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 1: you know, the way parents should treat their kids and 238 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 1: put everything they have into their children. So when you mentioned, 239 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,319 Speaker 1: you know, doing things or living in a way that 240 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: would make him proud. I have to imagine playing for 241 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 1: Team USA rugby sevens in Olympics would have been something 242 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:38,199 Speaker 1: that he would have smiled at. It was the first 243 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:42,680 Speaker 1: ever inclusion of rugby sevens at the Olympic Games. What 244 00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 1: do you remember most about that experience in Rio? Ah, Well, 245 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 1: I will say the decision to do that, um was 246 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: as I knew the Olympics were coming. It was something 247 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: that I couldn't stop thinking about. Obviously, I grew up 248 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 1: playing rugby since I was six year old. I always had, 249 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,960 Speaker 1: you know, going to my dad's games. I was going 250 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: to my dad's games in a cradle, so you know, 251 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 1: I was always around the game. I grew up around it. 252 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: And like you had mentioned that, rubby hadn't been in 253 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 1: the Olympics for like almost almost a hundred years. So 254 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: the timing that I was, you know, in the prime 255 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:21,560 Speaker 1: of my sports career. I had grown up playing this 256 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: sport my whole life. I had the skill set to 257 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: have a chance to maybe make it. Um. To know 258 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 1: what my dad would have thought about, you know, me 259 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: playing in the Olympics, Um, I I just felt so 260 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:39,120 Speaker 1: convicted to do that that there was no chance I 261 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 1: wasn't gonna try. And you know it was something that 262 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: kind of eight at me as those years we're getting 263 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: closer and closer that when the time came, you know, 264 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 1: out ultimately, I always told myself, you know, I want 265 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: to be able to sleep at night because I made 266 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: it this Asian to try something you know that that 267 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 1: would have kept me up at night wondering what it 268 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: would have been like or had I could I have 269 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 1: had an impact to help or you know, just what 270 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 1: would that experience have been, could have made it And 271 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: those questions would, like I said, keep me up at night. 272 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 1: So you know, obviously, like I said, I was extremely 273 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: convicted to do that. But you know what do I 274 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 1: remember most from it? Um, it was a fantastic, amazing experience. 275 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: I'd say the opening ceremony was something that hit me 276 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 1: pretty hard as an American being on a different you know, continent. 277 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: Uh And and when we walked out Team USA, you know, 278 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: after a couple hour long opening ceremony with the stadium packed, 279 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: you know, the roar that we got as Americans in 280 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: a different country that doesn't speak our language, like I said, 281 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: another continent, Um, it was, it was it was it 282 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: was too take took me back. You know. It was like, 283 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 1: you know, you're representing something so much bigger than yourself, 284 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 1: and you're part of something great that the rest of 285 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: the world recognizes. I mean that's how I felt, you 286 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 1: know that when when they were streaming like that, when 287 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 1: Team USA came out so um, that was probably one 288 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 1: of my favorite experiences. I'd say. Another major thing that 289 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 1: I think about is, you know, obviously not winning a medal. Um. 290 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: I felt we had the team to do that. Um, 291 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: and you know, didn't get out of our pool to 292 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: have have that opportunity. You know, after the pool play. 293 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: We want all our games and whatnot, but you gotta 294 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: get in us those medal rounds early. And uh. You 295 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: know that's something that I think about. Unfortunately, from that 296 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:49,359 Speaker 1: experience a lot. Well, another Olympic years upon us another opportunity. 297 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: Are you pursuing that opportunity again? Will you be joining 298 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: Team USA again? Well, let's hope. So. Um, I'm out, 299 00:16:57,080 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: I'm out trying, you know, I'm out, you know, and 300 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:04,399 Speaker 1: very similar situation. I'm a bit older and whatnot, but 301 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: you know, ultimately, you know, I think about my life 302 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 1: in my career and decisions that I make, and you know, 303 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 1: I want to sleep at night for the rest of 304 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 1: my life not wondering what if. And I think, you 305 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 1: know when I sit there and tell you that one 306 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: of the things I remember most was not winning a 307 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: medal and having the opportunity to potentially win one. Um, 308 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,680 Speaker 1: you know this this is really realistically probably a last 309 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:36,680 Speaker 1: shot for me. So it's like, uh, you know, now 310 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 1: we're never type of deal. And again that conviction to 311 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 1: want to go for it, um, with your whole hearts 312 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: in it. You know, I'm I'm feeling myself at a 313 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:52,360 Speaker 1: very similar place and you know, yeah, so I'm here, 314 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 1: I'm gonna try. Obviously, we've got a lot of grueling 315 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:58,480 Speaker 1: camps we've got to go through. It's it's physical. Um, 316 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:00,920 Speaker 1: you know, they only take twelve guys, and they're are 317 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 1: you know, the team's full professional players, some of the 318 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 1: best in the world, and you know, if if it's 319 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:07,199 Speaker 1: meant to be, it is meant to be. But at 320 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 1: the end of the day, I'm gonna give them my all, 321 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:12,679 Speaker 1: and you know I'll make it or I won't, but 322 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: I'll tell you I'll be able to sleep at night. No, 323 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 1: And I tried and and it won't be for lack 324 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: of effort. So well, and you mentioned just how hard 325 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: it is to win a medal at that stage. You've 326 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: won three super Bowl rings and uh, that is something 327 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:28,119 Speaker 1: that a lot of people strive for in their careers. 328 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:31,200 Speaker 1: But when you kind of compare the experience of getting 329 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: to a super Bowl versus being at the Olympics, how 330 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:37,360 Speaker 1: would you say that those feel. I mean, obviously they're 331 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 1: they're the pinnacle of sport, but how would you differ 332 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 1: between the two of them. Um, they're similar in the 333 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 1: fact that they're the pinnacle of sport. Um. Aside from that, 334 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 1: you know, the super Bowl is this massive media day. 335 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:54,439 Speaker 1: You've kind of got a media day like that with 336 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: the Olympics, kind of similar stuff, but nothing like the 337 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 1: crazy show of a super Bowl media day. Um. But 338 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:04,919 Speaker 1: then ultimately you've got that one day where it's you 339 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 1: know that three hour well four hours on a super 340 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:10,720 Speaker 1: Bowl day because the halftime show. But you know what 341 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 1: I'm saying, the one game that you've got to play 342 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: and you gotta win it, and um, you know, everything 343 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,120 Speaker 1: comes to that moment that you've built through the entire season, 344 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:23,879 Speaker 1: and you know it's kind of just that's that singular moment, 345 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 1: whereas the Olympics is you know, you you've got that media, 346 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 1: but then you've got the opening ceremonies, you're part of 347 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 1: Team USA. There's you know, you're in this Olympic village 348 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: with like eight thousand other athletes. You're on a different content. 349 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 1: You've got to figure out your nutrition because it's you know, 350 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:43,200 Speaker 1: you're not how you're you know, cafeterier whatever, dining hall 351 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 1: and that you're used to. So you you know, you're 352 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 1: you've got to maybe a couple of weeks until you're 353 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:54,560 Speaker 1: you're um, you know, sport your you know, game starts 354 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 1: and then it's it's multiple days. It's not you know, 355 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,920 Speaker 1: we've we've got two or three days of tournament play. 356 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: So you don't have this one moment that's built up. 357 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:06,640 Speaker 1: I mean, you've got to kind of handle it, um 358 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 1: like any other tournament in the world that on the 359 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 1: HSP series that they HSBC series that they go through. 360 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 1: So um, you know, ultimately, I will say a similar 361 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 1: thing as an athlete between the two is there you know, 362 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:25,919 Speaker 1: high stress, a lots on the line, blah blah blah. 363 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:27,879 Speaker 1: But you know, as an athlete, you just kind of 364 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 1: need to stay in a moment. But that's like anything 365 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:33,040 Speaker 1: else in life, you know, in my opinion, but you know, 366 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 1: in the in the in the super Bowl, you've gotta 367 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 1: stay in the moment. You know, if it's the first 368 00:20:37,359 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 1: quarter of whatever play you're in, you gotta be in 369 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,400 Speaker 1: that play not thinking about anything else. And if it's 370 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:46,160 Speaker 1: the first game of Olympic tournament, you know you're you're 371 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:48,400 Speaker 1: not in the metal rounds yet you need to win 372 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:51,640 Speaker 1: this this game. So and just like that, you need 373 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:56,160 Speaker 1: to stay in in every play. And UM, I think 374 00:20:56,200 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 1: that's really where I try to keep my mindset through 375 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:03,399 Speaker 1: through of it well. And it's such a unique experience 376 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:06,120 Speaker 1: that comes around, you know, once every four years, when 377 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:10,200 Speaker 1: this case five because of the pandemic. UM it also 378 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:13,200 Speaker 1: the timing wise, it overlaps with training camp a little 379 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: bit and in the NFL season getting geared up. How 380 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:19,359 Speaker 1: supportive of the Giants and that organization and coach Judge 381 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:23,919 Speaker 1: and Dave Getleman been in this pursuit for you. Um, 382 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:28,440 Speaker 1: they've been extremely supportive. I mean I really haven't had 383 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 1: like any any negative feedback or or pushback or anything. UM. 384 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:39,439 Speaker 1: So you know, to do something like this, UM, you know, 385 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:41,679 Speaker 1: it is a physical sport. Things can happen. But to 386 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: just have that that backing and support to know that 387 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: I can go wholeheartedly into this and you know I'm 388 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 1: not going to be looked at or treated any differently. Um. 389 00:21:53,840 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 1: You know, it's it's it's definitely comforting, I guess, you know. Um, 390 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:06,320 Speaker 1: But ultimately, UM, like like I said earlier, that when 391 00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:12,200 Speaker 1: that conviction sets in to to do something, it's like, yeah, 392 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 1: like I can't worry about all these other things, you 393 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:17,360 Speaker 1: know what I mean, you just gotta handle your business. Um. 394 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:20,959 Speaker 1: But to have their support to do something like this, 395 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:25,160 Speaker 1: I mean it doesn't mean the world, um, because these 396 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:29,399 Speaker 1: are life changing moments in my opinion, and um, you know, 397 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:33,119 Speaker 1: the ability to pursue something that is life changing is 398 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:37,560 Speaker 1: is great without having to you know, sacrifice something I've 399 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:40,000 Speaker 1: worked for for a decade. You know, it just would 400 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:43,239 Speaker 1: be my tenth year in the NFL. So um, you know, 401 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,760 Speaker 1: it's it's it's awesome. It's a blessing and you know, 402 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:50,119 Speaker 1: hopefully it all works out. And uh, you know, I 403 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:52,679 Speaker 1: think Joe knows. Last time I did the Olympics, I 404 00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: came back in really good shape because of how much 405 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:57,840 Speaker 1: money for Rubby has so hopefully it works out like that. 406 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:00,439 Speaker 1: I can imagine. I mean, you know, twenties team, you 407 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:02,360 Speaker 1: come back from the Olympics and just kind of hit 408 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 1: the ground running into NFL season. What was that transition like, um, 409 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 1: I mean from rugby back to back to football. That 410 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: was I mean fairly easy. It was. I was in 411 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:21,880 Speaker 1: such good shape. I mean the amount of cardiovasculator running 412 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:27,160 Speaker 1: and whatnot that rugby sevens requires, it's just an entired 413 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 1: another level unlike anything we do in the NFL. UM. 414 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 1: And you know, because to go back to our opening conversation, 415 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:41,280 Speaker 1: they're different sports. Um. But when you are that, you know, 416 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: never getting tired. Um, you know, you're prepared for a 417 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,200 Speaker 1: game that's just way more taxing to then come back 418 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:52,639 Speaker 1: to play football. Uh, you know, of all the things 419 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:56,880 Speaker 1: that you know can kind of deter you as a player. Um, 420 00:23:56,920 --> 00:23:58,640 Speaker 1: you know, that wasn't one I had to worry about. 421 00:23:58,720 --> 00:24:02,000 Speaker 1: Getting tired was not some thing I even I had 422 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: to think about. And you know, I was moving really well. 423 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:09,080 Speaker 1: And you know in rugby tackle just all the time, 424 00:24:09,119 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 1: we tackle a ton of practice. You just are constantly tackling, 425 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:16,400 Speaker 1: and it it transitioned for me really well. So, um, 426 00:24:16,440 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 1: I had a great year that year. So hopefully, uh, 427 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:21,080 Speaker 1: you know, I don't want to get too far ahead 428 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:25,000 Speaker 1: of myself, but you know, hopefully it's a similar case. Yeah, 429 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:27,440 Speaker 1: hopefully you'll come back in the middle of training camp 430 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:30,280 Speaker 1: and Joe Judges training camp laps. Oh no, big deal, 431 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:32,639 Speaker 1: I could do those right. Yeah. Yeah, I won't be 432 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:37,159 Speaker 1: worried about that at all. So how good is Team USA? 433 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: I mean, you mentioned that this team was good enough 434 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:42,959 Speaker 1: they had pools to kind of get it done. Do 435 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:45,080 Speaker 1: you think that this group that you've seen so far 436 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: has my takes? I mean, we'll see. But when I 437 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 1: look at team we played the gold medal winners. They 438 00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: were in our pool Fiji and we lost by four 439 00:24:55,119 --> 00:24:58,840 Speaker 1: extremely close game. UM Argentina was in the semifinal to 440 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 1: play for UM to go to the gold medal match 441 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:04,600 Speaker 1: as well. They were also in our pool, and uh, 442 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:07,280 Speaker 1: we were winning the entire game. It's kind of like soccer. 443 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 1: There was no time left, but they scored at the 444 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:13,280 Speaker 1: last second to to lose that. That was pretty heartbreaking. Um, 445 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 1: So I mean it's not you know, and then we 446 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,280 Speaker 1: we shut out another team, but at that point it 447 00:25:19,320 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 1: was too little too late. UM. So yeah, I mean 448 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 1: we're competitive. I mean we were competitive in team with 449 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 1: obviously the gold medal winners and and and another team 450 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:31,160 Speaker 1: that was up there in the medal rounds as well. 451 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:36,320 Speaker 1: So UM. And then the years following the USA UM 452 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: finished second in the world in the World Series, they 453 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:42,160 Speaker 1: almost finished first. They lost the Fiji and like one 454 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:44,160 Speaker 1: of the last games of one of the last tournaments. 455 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: It's kind of like you a crew points through all 456 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 1: these tournaments throughout the year and um, and then at 457 00:25:50,920 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: the end, whoever has in most points wins like a 458 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 1: FedEx Cup or whatnot. But anyways, the USA got second 459 00:25:57,480 --> 00:26:03,200 Speaker 1: and has been a nation in the last couple of years. UM. 460 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:06,880 Speaker 1: I don't think anyone in the world comes and has 461 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:10,480 Speaker 1: played the United States and takes them lately anymore. UM. 462 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:14,800 Speaker 1: So you know, with all that being said, it really 463 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:18,679 Speaker 1: doesn't mean anything. Once the tournament starts, you know, anything 464 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 1: can happen, UM. But we need to you know, if 465 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:25,920 Speaker 1: the USA is playing at their best, I think they're 466 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:28,959 Speaker 1: the best in the world. Now. The question is is 467 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:32,640 Speaker 1: can you put that together throughout an entire tournament when 468 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:35,400 Speaker 1: you know your time is called, because that's what it's 469 00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:38,199 Speaker 1: all about. So I hope, I hope we can do it. 470 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,680 Speaker 1: Whether I'm there or not. I I just want that 471 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:44,560 Speaker 1: for rugby in this country to to win a medal. 472 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 1: What that would do for the support? Um, that would 473 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:50,360 Speaker 1: be fantastic. And regardless if I was there, I mean 474 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:53,600 Speaker 1: obviously being there would be it would be awesome too, 475 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:58,360 Speaker 1: So it would be pretty rap either way. Um, But Nate, 476 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:01,840 Speaker 1: good luck with everything this team USA rugby pursuit with 477 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 1: the impending book Finished Strong, which is on bookshelves in May, 478 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:09,399 Speaker 1: in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, and we're looking forward to 479 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,240 Speaker 1: having you back on football field this fall for Giants football. 480 00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:14,400 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for taking the time today. Yeah, thanks 481 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:16,640 Speaker 1: for having me. That's Nate m They're a great interview 482 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:18,680 Speaker 1: from Matt and we thank her and we thank Nate 483 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:20,200 Speaker 1: for giving us the time right here on the Giant 484 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:23,159 Speaker 1: Subtle podcast. Limited Giant season tickets are on sale now 485 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,120 Speaker 1: for the season. In addition to ticket savings and membership 486 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:30,280 Speaker 1: benefits include access to exclusive events, experiences, pre sales, and more. 487 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 1: You can lock in your seat starting at just one 488 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:36,200 Speaker 1: hundred bucks called n y give visit Giants dot com 489 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:39,320 Speaker 1: slash tickets for more. Information for Nate Ebner and our 490 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:41,520 Speaker 1: own Madeline Burke. I am John Schmilk. Thank you for 491 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:43,679 Speaker 1: joining us on the Giant Subtle Podcast. We'll see you 492 00:27:43,720 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 1: next time.