Patriots safety gives most Patriots quote ever after rugby sevens win

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Even when he’s on another continent, New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner still has coach Bill Belichick figuratively looking over his shoulder.

Ebner is taking a leave from the NFL’s Patriots as he competes for the United States in the Rio Olympics, as part of the rugby sevens team. And on Tuesday, Ebner helped the U.S. to a win. The Americans beat Brazil 26-0, the first-ever rugby sevens win for the United States in the Olympics. Ebner scored a try in the match.

Rugby sevens is making its Olympic debut this year.

And you’d think that Ebner, far removed from Belichick and his edict to never say anything interesting to the media, might let loose speaking to reporters in Rio. But once you’ve been indoctrinated to The Patriot Way, it never fully leaves you. Even in South America.

“Things don’t go your way all the time, but we got the job done. We’re on to the next one,” Ebner said according to Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe.

“We’re on to the next one” … somewhere Belichick smiled, if he ever smiles. That’s about the most Patriots quote ever, and hilariously reminiscent of Belichick’s famous “We’re on to Cincinnati” press conference a couple years ago.

Ebner’s participation in the Olympics is a great story. He officially became the first active NFL player to compete in a Summer Olympics when he entered the United States’ first match. The Patriots are supporting him from afar. Belichick wore a T-shirt jersey with Ebner’s number on it during Tuesday’s practice. The Patriots watched Ebner’s match together on Tuesday.

That’s great support, though when Ebner was asked about it he said he wanted to keep the attention on the team he’s with this week.

“I appreciate it,” Ebner told Gasper. “I haven’t really looked at all that. I’m trying to stay focused.”

Yep, Ebner has clearly learned some of Belichick’s lessons.