1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:05,160 Speaker 1: Welcome to The Giants Huddle, a New York Giants podcast. 2 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of the Giants Little Podcast. John 3 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: Schwalk Michael lies in back with you. Today's guest one 4 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: of the newer members of the New York Giants. That's 5 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: special teamer Nate Ebner. But before we get to Nate, 6 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 1: let's remind you that you can find the Giants Little 7 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 1: Podcast on the Giants Mobile app, on your favorite podcast platforms, 8 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 1: and on giants dot com slash podcast, where you can 9 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: find all of our podcast offerings. And now let's get 10 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: to our guests. He's Nate Ebner, Special Team or Safety, 11 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: one of the newest members of the Giants. Nate, thanks 12 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: a lot for joining us. How are you doing, Mike? 13 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:36,560 Speaker 1: Want to lead us off today. An obvious first question 14 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: for us is your eight years in New England coincider 15 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: exactly with Joe Judges. So how much did his president 16 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 1: as a head coach influence your decision to join the Giants? 17 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 1: You know, it's definitely was was a strong point. Obviously, 18 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: I have a I have a great relationship with Joe 19 00:00:56,440 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 1: that that I've still over you know, nearly early a 20 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: decade um and we've worked together extensively through special teams. Uh. 21 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 1: And you know, just being in in a in a 22 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: tough environment that you see people come and go quite 23 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: often to kind of have a face that you see 24 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 1: on a regular basis. For for like I said, nearly 25 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: a decade that you know, I'd be lying if I 26 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: said I didn't create a good relationship with him. So 27 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:34,679 Speaker 1: that definitely played a part. Um. And you know, I'm 28 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: at the end of it all, man, I'm excited to 29 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 1: get out there and come to a great organization and 30 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: get to work. Really, I just I'm ready for the 31 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: day that they let us. We'll just we'll see when 32 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 1: that is. Yeah, us too. By the way, Um, I 33 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: just want to follow up on on the judge that 34 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: exactly what was it about his coaching and give us 35 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: a glipse into it because we've obviously spoken to him, 36 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,720 Speaker 1: we've seen him from Afar, we've interviewed him, but we 37 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: haven't really actually seen him coach yet. So give us 38 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 1: a feel for what it's like to be coached by 39 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: Joe Judge. At the end of the day, Man, Joe's 40 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: extremely hard working person. H. He works as hard as 41 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 1: anybody that I ever saw in that ability. Um, extremely 42 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: hard worker and you know, extremely high energy. UM, and 43 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: he was consistent with that. I think some coaches try 44 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: to provide you know, high energy, but it's uh not 45 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: as natural. You know. Joe definitely was consistent with his 46 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: efforts to keep his energy high. I think that's just 47 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: who he is as a person. So he just cand 48 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: to work with high energy. Was always working hard and 49 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: uh really paid attention to the details. And I think 50 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: that's was what was you know to me, UM special 51 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: about him. We're always always paying attention to details, looking 52 00:02:56,120 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: for things to do differently, and you know he uh 53 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 1: at the end of it all, he cares about his 54 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 1: guy too, and I think that's hard to find in 55 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: this league. So that's you know, I don't know what 56 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 1: anyone else thinks about that, um, but it's you know, 57 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: it's it's refreshing to have a coach that I think 58 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:18,239 Speaker 1: has has your back or cast for he wants to 59 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 1: see succeed and UM, you know, I think Joe Joe 60 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: has that. I think, you know, people are gonna really 61 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 1: respect that, and UM, I know I do. And I've 62 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: seen a lot of coaches over the years, so UM, yeah, 63 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: he's a good He's he's a good coachman, and he 64 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: works hard at the end of it all, Man, the 65 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: guy works works his tail off. So, uh, they were 66 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 1: you looking to make a change, you know at the 67 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: end of the season. Uh did you think you're did 68 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: you have played your last game for the Patriots or 69 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 1: is this just such a good situation it was too 70 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: good to pass up? You know? Ultimately, Uh, it's where 71 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: I am kind of focused on going forward. Now. UM. 72 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: You know, every every player over that period of time 73 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: that plays as long as I have has been lucky 74 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: to play that long as there comes times where your 75 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: free agent and um, and at the end of it all, 76 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 1: you gotta do what's best for you. And coming to 77 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 1: New York is, without a doubt the best thing for me. 78 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 1: And um, obviously I'm I'm leaving a place that I've 79 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: been my entire career and and I've learned so much. 80 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:26,720 Speaker 1: And I had a lot of success with the with 81 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: the team and been around some great teammates and great coaches. 82 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, like I said, 83 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 1: you gotta you gotta look out for yourself sometimes and UM, 84 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: I gotta do what's what's best for me. And the 85 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 1: time I had Cone so that's that's where we are. 86 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 1: But other than that, man, I'm extremely excited to get 87 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: to New York and come work for a great organization. Um, 88 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 1: you know, play with a great team and in a 89 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: great city. I'm so justiced. I'm so justiced talking to 90 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 1: Joe and talking to you know, Dave Gentleman and whoever 91 00:04:57,120 --> 00:04:59,839 Speaker 1: else you spoke to before you sign the contract and afterwards. 92 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 1: Eight Uh did they give you a feel, um? Is 93 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: your role going to be pretty identical to what it 94 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:05,559 Speaker 1: was what it was in New England? Could you maybe 95 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 1: get a little bit more of a look on defense? 96 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 1: What do you expect coming in the building? Ultimately, man, 97 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:15,360 Speaker 1: it's you know, those things changed day to day. Um. 98 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: You know, obviously I played quite a bit of special 99 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 1: teams um in my career. Uh uh, obviously do that 100 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 1: part of it. But you know, and whatever capacity that 101 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 1: they need me to play, Um, you know, whatever that is, 102 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it to the 103 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: best of my ability. And um, you know, I'm always 104 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 1: prepared to do that and I have been. I was 105 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:38,040 Speaker 1: in New England. Um, it didn't really come up too 106 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: much for me, but um, you know, I am prepared 107 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 1: to do whatever I need to do that the team 108 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:46,280 Speaker 1: needs to me, and do it like at best of 109 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 1: my ability. So that's kind of kind of where we're at. 110 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:54,479 Speaker 1: You never played football, and I school, you're an elite 111 00:05:54,560 --> 00:06:00,160 Speaker 1: rugby player. What prompt did you start playing football? That's 112 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: a big question. I man, Um, you know, I played, 113 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 1: like you said, I didn't play I didn't play football 114 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 1: in high school. I I played football when I was 115 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 1: in Peewee's you know, in in in like seventh grade, 116 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,919 Speaker 1: eighth grade. Um, but yeah, I was playing rugby. I 117 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:20,279 Speaker 1: was playing on the junior national team. I had played 118 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 1: in three Junior World Cups. Um. I played in club 119 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: rugby at Ohio State, and I think when the Junior 120 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: World Cups had kind of finished up and the only 121 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:30,840 Speaker 1: thing I could play to represent the country was on them, 122 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:33,240 Speaker 1: the men's national team, which required a lot of time 123 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: for me away from school. Um. You know, I told 124 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 1: my parents i'd get my degree, and you know, I 125 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: kind of wanted to play football my senior year in 126 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 1: high school. I I chose not to because because of 127 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: the Junior World Cups. And I think, uh, it was 128 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: kind of the perfect storm for me. I just had 129 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:54,719 Speaker 1: finished playing international rugby against some of the best players 130 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: in the world. Uh. To come into Ohio State playing 131 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 1: club rugby, Um, kind of you know, getting very frustrated. 132 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 1: I guess to keep it and keep it light. Frustrated 133 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 1: with that whole situation. Kind of wanted to play football, 134 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 1: didn't really do it in high school. Now you're at 135 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 1: the mecca of one of the meccas of college football 136 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: in the United States at Ohio State. All you do 137 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: is here about these football players, and UM, you know, 138 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 1: I knew it was something I kind of wanted to do, 139 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 1: and like I said, it was kind of a perfect 140 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 1: storm that I decided on top of that knowing there 141 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: wasn't much of a career in the United States for 142 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: me to be a professional rugby player. Um. Knowing that 143 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: and like I said, all those other things that kind 144 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: of culminated into you know, I'm gonna try to walk 145 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: onto the football team and talking my dad about that, 146 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 1: and that's what I did. How much of a learning 147 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 1: process was it, How much of the rugby skills carried over? 148 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 1: And just you know, what was that like getting into 149 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: the mixing and really you know, at least being coached 150 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: professionally quote unquote, how did that go to Ohio State 151 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: trying to learn everything so quickly on the flight. Man, 152 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,760 Speaker 1: I'd say that was probably one of the most stumbling 153 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: experiences of my life. Um, it would definitely go go 154 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 1: up there. I I was athletic, I could run fast, 155 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 1: and I was strong and all that. But you know, 156 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 1: AI's last time I was through football was in eighth grade. 157 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 1: And to come to Ohio State and start, you know, 158 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: I didn't know the difference between you know, zone defense 159 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 1: and man defense are covered two and cover three and 160 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: I didn't know any of that stuff. And uh, like 161 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 1: I said, it was humbling. The movements you figure that 162 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: stuff out. But even though the intricacies of small parts, 163 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 1: the details about that are all very very different than 164 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: like be it's a different game, but the the mind 165 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 1: part of the just this. You've heard about playbooks, you know, oh, 166 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:56,560 Speaker 1: say football, it's not an NFL playbooks, but uh, you 167 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 1: know they do quite a bit over there, and from 168 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 1: not having a background at oh it's quite quite a 169 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 1: bit to learn. And and um, yeah, I mean, like 170 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:06,719 Speaker 1: I said, it was humbling. I had I had a 171 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 1: lot of work to do and and it wasn't football work, 172 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: physical stuff. It was learning it was figuring this game out. Um, 173 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 1: you know, it's definitely a game of chess. There's no 174 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 1: sport like football. It is the ultimate game of chess. 175 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: What I'm just curious, what was that like walk out house, 176 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: stayed in the first time and see hundred thousand people 177 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: and you know, just those three years you went the 178 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 1: three bowl games and I think it went involving one 179 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,320 Speaker 1: one year. Just what was it like to be a 180 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 1: football player all of state? You know the stuff you're 181 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: talking about, the crowd, you know, I didn't really care 182 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: about any of that, man, I mean to be honest 183 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 1: of you. I I walked on at Ohio say with 184 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 1: kind of the hoping, hoping to get to the NFL. 185 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:54,079 Speaker 1: My dad had passed right after I told him I 186 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: was gonna walk on. Um, I was pretty focused. I 187 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 1: had tunnel vision, and I wasn't really worried about out, 188 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,680 Speaker 1: you know, anything other than trying to make that dream 189 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,360 Speaker 1: become a reality and working at it every day. And 190 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 1: I know that's probably not the answer you want to hear, 191 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 1: but that's just the truth coming off in tragedies like 192 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: that and having to get to work. That's that's where 193 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,680 Speaker 1: my focus was that you know, it was cool. I 194 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: guess playing in front of all those people relative to 195 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: you know, rugby games, but rugby games are more intimate. 196 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 1: You know, you can see the faces of the fans 197 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: that are there watching you. When you're in a stadium 198 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,559 Speaker 1: with a hundred and sea of people, hundred and ten 199 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 1: thousand people that are screaming. I mean it's cool. It's 200 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,199 Speaker 1: a great environment, but you can't see anybody. And at 201 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 1: the end of the day, the only the only thing, 202 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:44,640 Speaker 1: the only eyes you care about that are watching you 203 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 1: are the film. And you've learned that quickly that you 204 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: know it doesn't matter what happens at any moment other 205 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:56,959 Speaker 1: than when you're on the CEO point and um, that 206 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: film is what matters, and that's really where my focus was. 207 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: Then you mentioned the tragedy with your father. I read 208 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 1: a couple of articles about it. Um, he passed away 209 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,079 Speaker 1: in a robbery attempt. How did he kind of help 210 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 1: you get to where you are today? Just the work, 211 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: ethic and and everything about him. I know, I've read 212 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 1: a couple of places. You know, he was really your 213 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:20,959 Speaker 1: role model, you know, period stopped. If you can just 214 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 1: talk a little bit about that, Ah, yeah, man, it's 215 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,319 Speaker 1: started to play in the words. But you know, I 216 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 1: could go on and on, but at the end of 217 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: the day, man, his my relationship with him is the 218 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 1: foundation for who I am. Um. That goes to character, 219 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 1: that goes to you know, work ethic, that goes to 220 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 1: um just everything great determination and discipline, all those things. Man. 221 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:51,559 Speaker 1: I mean it just it was a lifestyle that we lived, um, 222 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: you know, working hard and and then going to work 223 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:57,199 Speaker 1: out or whatever was in the junkyard. And I have 224 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: a very blue collar upbringing. Uh can in the junkyard. 225 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 1: But um no, man, like I said, he's the foundation 226 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 1: for for everything, uh in my life. And uh, you 227 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 1: know I wouldn't. I wouldn't be where I am without 228 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:15,520 Speaker 1: without that, no, no question. You know, I'm a very 229 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 1: determined person. But I think the guy and he gave 230 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 1: me early on in my life, you know, was extremely 231 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: valuable and important to me. And that it really speaks, 232 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:32,520 Speaker 1: in my opinion, to the fact that young men between 233 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:37,559 Speaker 1: you know, thirteen and in seventeen eighteen, Uh, they need 234 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: a father figure in their lives. And uh, you know, 235 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: I've looked back obviously lost my dad in a very 236 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: tragic way. But I was nineteen and you know, I 237 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 1: had those very important years where a father can kind 238 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: of developed and in a positive way and God God 239 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: his his son and from a young man to becoming 240 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:57,959 Speaker 1: a man. And I was lucky to have him. I mean, 241 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 1: they're you know, million as a kids, thousands of millions 242 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 1: of kids that you know across the world that don't 243 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 1: have a father figure in a in a much more 244 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:10,440 Speaker 1: vulnerable time in their lives where they need it. Um 245 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:12,560 Speaker 1: So I try to look at it as a blessing 246 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,199 Speaker 1: that I had him when I when I needed him most. 247 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 1: And um you know, towards the end, it was more 248 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 1: we became kind of best friends. Um So you know 249 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: that's what hurt the most. You kind of lose someone 250 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:26,679 Speaker 1: who's giving so much and they're they're one of your 251 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: best friends. But like I said, I was so fortunate 252 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:36,120 Speaker 1: to have him in such a critical time in my life. Uh, 253 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 1: I've been around a long trying. We haven't had many 254 00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: Jewish players on the Giants, and I had Jewish myself, 255 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: and I was wondering and I've read also that you 256 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:48,079 Speaker 1: know that's very important to you, just your your feelings 257 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: about your faith. You know, we asked players about their 258 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 1: faith all the time, but we don't have a lot 259 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 1: of Jewish players to ask about their faith. Yeah, there's 260 00:13:55,520 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: not many in the NFL, not just the giants, I think. Yeah, Um, 261 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 1: you know, I I don't have a ton to say. 262 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,200 Speaker 1: Just it was it, you know, being being raised Jewish 263 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: was It's been a part of my entire life. I 264 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: was from from when I was extremely young. Um, you know, 265 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 1: it's kept my family extremely close. There's there's a different 266 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 1: type of bonds that you know, you form when you're 267 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 1: kind of uh, you know, different than everyone else in 268 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 1: terms of you know, your religion, but in a in 269 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: a in a strengthening way, if you if you will, so, Um, 270 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: you know, I've always I've always loved that part about it. 271 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 1: Not not that is different, but just it was our thing, 272 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: being being Jewish and how I was, I was raised 273 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 1: that way, and um, you know, it's uh, I just 274 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: I'm just I don't know, I just I love that 275 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 1: the fact that, like I said, I had had my 276 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 1: own thing with with my family that we did and 277 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 1: that's all that really mattered. So, like I said, I 278 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: don't have a I don't have a ton ton to 279 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: say about it. I mean, I don't want to sit 280 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 1: here and act like I'm the most religious person on 281 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 1: on the team. I can promise you that will not 282 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 1: be the case. My Jewish my Jewish background is important 283 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: to me. Uh, I will say that without a doubt, 284 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 1: and being Jewish is something I'm proud of. Well, I guess, Nate. 285 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: Final question for me, how did you get into rugby? Anyway? 286 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 1: You know it isn't exactly popular in America, Like how 287 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: did you gravitate? And and why did you gravitate to rugby? Well, 288 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: my dad played, you know, and like father, like son, 289 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 1: you know, whatever he was doing, I was doing it. 290 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 1: You know, I was playing. I played a lot of squash, 291 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 1: I played, I played rugby, I did everything. But I 292 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 1: became very good at rugby at a very young age. 293 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: And uh luckily I got around some really good players 294 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: um in my youth development that made me enjoy the 295 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 1: game um and learn a lot. So, like I said, 296 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:07,320 Speaker 1: playing internationally when you're sixteen years old, you learn, You 297 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 1: learned so much and and I just I just wanted more. 298 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:13,560 Speaker 1: I was learning so much being around those those players. 299 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: But early on, I mean, yeah, my dad played, and 300 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:19,880 Speaker 1: you know, it's a very underground thing at times, but 301 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 1: it's as such a tight knit culture. Um that you know, 302 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 1: I've always loved it. I've always loved it, and I've 303 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: always been around it. And uh, like I said, it's 304 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: something I just have gravitated towards. So I have one 305 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: more if you don't mind the kind of a two 306 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: parter um you want to think you want those just 307 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 1: seven guys I believe um to win an NFL championship 308 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: participate in the Olympics are the only one I think 309 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 1: to do it in the same year. And he is 310 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,320 Speaker 1: that a kind of a special point of pride for you? 311 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: And be Uh super Bowl Olympics? Did you get the 312 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: same kind of adrenaline rush uh participating in in in 313 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: each I mean, well, I definitely say, you know, it's 314 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 1: it's special to be, like you said, the only person 315 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:13,199 Speaker 1: ever win one I win a super Bowl and go 316 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: participate in the Olympics in the same year. Um, it's 317 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,919 Speaker 1: that's that's very cool, I guess. But at the end 318 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,440 Speaker 1: of the day, it's you know, so to be on 319 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:24,200 Speaker 1: a team that was fortunate enough to go to the 320 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: Super Bowl and win it, A lot of that's out 321 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: of my control, you know. I do what I can 322 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: for the team, but that takes that takes not just 323 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:33,320 Speaker 1: the players, with the coaches and the staff like that 324 00:17:33,359 --> 00:17:36,920 Speaker 1: takes so many other people. So I would extremely fortunate, 325 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: lucky if even to be in that situation after the Olympics, right, Um, 326 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 1: A lot of things had to fall in place, you know. UM, 327 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 1: I get that question a lot with you know, the 328 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: Super Bowl the Olympics. I mean they're both the pinnacle 329 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 1: of their their sport. You know. Um. Obviously, the NFL 330 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 1: is this monstrosity in the United States and huge viewership 331 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 1: and and just this huge spectacle on one day. Um, 332 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: and that's it's it's pretty awesome to be a part of. 333 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 1: But the Olympics is this you know, weeks on end, 334 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: you know, tour if you will. You're in a on 335 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: a different continent. You know, you're doing an opening ceremony, 336 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: You're you're representing the United States. Um. You know they're 337 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:30,640 Speaker 1: they're speaking different language around you. You're in an Olympic 338 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:34,879 Speaker 1: village with eight thousand other athletes. Uh. You know, you 339 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,880 Speaker 1: you watch other events, you practice, you go do your events, 340 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 1: you know. I mean it's just long drawn out thing. 341 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: It's just a completely different experience. Um. But it's they're 342 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,800 Speaker 1: both extremely special in their own right, and you know 343 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: they're both. I wouldn't trade either one, but no doubt so. UM. 344 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,320 Speaker 1: You know, I was just very fortunate for all of 345 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:02,359 Speaker 1: that to happen for me because rugby hadn't been in 346 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 1: the Olympics since like nineteen sixteen or eighteen or nineteen 347 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:10,719 Speaker 1: twenty four, something like that, very long time ago, right, 348 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:14,399 Speaker 1: And so for for us to not only qualify being 349 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,119 Speaker 1: not a rugby nation but in the United States, qualify 350 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: no one in the world that I would be qualified 351 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:21,120 Speaker 1: but haven't not been in the Olympics since nineteen twenty 352 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:24,320 Speaker 1: four whatever it was, And then you know, ninety six 353 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: years later in two thousand and sixteen. I don't know 354 00:19:27,119 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 1: if my math is right on that whatever. UM two, 355 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 1: to have rugby in the Olympics, to have qualified, to 356 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: to be in the Olympics as a nation when there's 357 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:42,639 Speaker 1: only sixteen teams in the tournament, um, And for me 358 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 1: personally to be in the prime of my athletic career, 359 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,600 Speaker 1: and not only that, haven't grown up. I could not 360 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:50,639 Speaker 1: have made that team if I didn't play rugby my 361 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:53,359 Speaker 1: entire life. So the only reason I made it is 362 00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 1: because I had the upbringing that I had and and 363 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 1: all those things that happened and callinate uh for me 364 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:00,920 Speaker 1: to be able to be get part of the Olympics 365 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 1: and then win the Super Bowl the same year. I mean, 366 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:06,119 Speaker 1: it's I'm not really wanted to believe in faith or 367 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 1: things of that nature, but that kind of makes leave 368 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 1: a kind of believe in so very special. Thank you. 369 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:15,439 Speaker 1: That's Nate Evner. We thank you for joining us on 370 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:18,440 Speaker 1: this week's edition of the Giant Suttle Podcast. For Michael Eison, 371 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 1: I'm John Smoking and you can find the John Suttle 372 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:24,160 Speaker 1: Podcast on giants dot com, on the Giants Mobile app. 373 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 1: I don't all your favorite podcast platforms and for an 374 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 1: Apple podcast, please leave a five star positive review if 375 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:32,400 Speaker 1: you like what you hear, and folks, remember you can 376 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:34,960 Speaker 1: find all the Giants podcast offerings at giants dot com 377 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,960 Speaker 1: slash podcast. We'll see you next time. Everybody be good.