Story highlights Ebner takes leave of absence from Patriots

Debut for U.S. rugby sevens team at 17

Played rugby for U.S. junior teams before NFL

Sevens makes Olympic debut at Rio 2016

(CNN) He's won the Super Bowl and is now hoping for a crack at Olympic gold -- but can Nate Ebner force his way back into the U.S. rugby sevens team?

Ebner, who helped New England Patriots triumph in Super Bowl XLIX, has taken time out from his NFL career to join up with the Eagles squad ahead of August's Rio Games.

"Growing up playing rugby, you don't have the opportunity to play in the Olympics," the 27-year-old told reporters.

"The best thing you could get to really was the World Cup because rugby wasn't in the Olympics.

"To be a part of something I watched growing up and that has as much tradition as the Olympics ... that comes around once in a lifetime for some people. The idea to potentially be a part of something like that is humbling and it would be amazing."