Two weeks ago Nate Ebner was collecting his winners' medal at the Super Bowl XLIX as the New England Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Arizona.

Fast forward to round five of the HSBC Sevens World Series and the former USA Sevens player returned to the Sam Boyd Stadium to show his support for the tournament and watch the Eagles impress on home soiil. 

"It is a great feeling to be here," said Ebner. "As soon as I come back in this environment, I don't want to say I forget what happened in the Super Bowl but I get so wrapped up in this, the energy and my love for rugby, and I wish I was playing, it is an awesome event."

Ebner has been playing safety for the Patriots since 2012 and as well as playing sevens played for the USA at the Junior World Rugby Trophy.

With some of the USA stars crossing over from American Football, such as Carlin Isles, Ebner made the switch the other way but believes rugby assisted with the move.

"Rugby helped in a lot of ways, at a young age playing in the world cups and getting an idea of what it takes to become a professional athlete and how to carry myself," added Ebner.

"I would say even my skill set, my ball handling and vision, all those things make me a better football player and that is why my transition to football, which is a difficult one, was made easier having played rugby at a high level. It helped me grow, I can't put a value on it, but I know it did."

With the sport now on the Olympic programme and the USA heavily involved in the qualification process, Ebner is excited to see where the sport goes in USA.

"It has had an amazing growth. I remember the first time I came out here they had to get everyone on one side of the stands because there weren't enough people.

"Now the energy is great and there are so many people. It keeps getting better and I am so excited for where it is going in the next couple of years especially with the Olympics and it is great to be a part of and watch it grow."