Finish Strong: A Father's Code and a Son's Path

by Nate Ebner, Paul Daugherty (Contributor), Urban Meyer (Foreword)(Contributor)

The inspiring story of Nate Ebner's bond with his unconventional father, which still remains unbroken years after his father's tragic death - and which has led Ebner to success as an Olympic rugby player and a New England Patriot with three Super Bowl rings

Nate Ebner and his father were inseparable. From an early age, they worked side-by-side in the family junk yard, where part of the job was dispensing citizen's justice to would-be robbers, and worked out side-by-side in their grungy homemade gym. So tight were father and son that even though Nate was a great peewee football player, in football-mad Ohio, he followed his father's passion, and started playing for the same men's rugby club when he was only twelve years old. Nate skipped high school football entirely to devote himself to rugby, a decision that was validated when he was selected a member of the U.S. junior national team at only sixteen.

But even after winning a college national championship in rugby at Ohio State, Nate had to face the fact that he was nearing a dead end - there was no way to make a living as a professional in rugby in this country. So Nate gave his dad the news that he planned to quit rugby and go out for the football team at Ohio State with an eye toward making the NFL. As a goal for someone who hadn't even played high school football, this was completely insane. Without blinking, his father told him that if he gave up what he had built in rugby, he had to see it through, to matter how rough the path. This was the last conversation they ever had - the next day, his father was brutally murdered at work by a would-be robber.

Nate went on to make the Ohio State team and play in every game for three years, becoming a hero to his teammates along the way, and when NFL draft day came, he was selected by the New England Patriots. Three Super Bowl rings later, his legacy in the sport is secure. But he got another unexpected chance to honor his father's legacy when the Olympics admitted rugby as a sport for the 2016 Games. Nate hadn't played the game in six years, but he asked the Patriots for a leave to pursue what he knew would have been his father's ultimate dream. Against long odds, he made this team too, and competed in Rio in the sport he and his father loved above all others.

An astonishing story of what a father will do for a son, and what a son will do for a father, 'FINISH STRONG' offers us a powerful reminder that the lessons parents embody for their children continue to bear fruit long after they are gone.




RUNNING TIME => 8hrs.

©2020 Nate Ebner and Paul Daugherty (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

Audible Audio

First published May 11, 2021

Reviews

[Joe Garvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Well written! Nate’s story is an inspiration to us all

[Jonathan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall great book
I loved how much time the author spent on his childhood (half the book)
A lot of the book detailed his relationship with his father who was obsessed with rugby
Even though his father lived an hour away he would drive to hang out with him almost daily and by the time Nate was in middle school he was allowing him to participate in rugby matches with him
Unfortunately, his father was murdered when Nate was 19 and this drove a lot of the big decisions the author made the rest of his life
Overall, great book and I recommend it for anyone wanting to know more about rugby or the mindset of an elite athlete

[James Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read that emphasizes good principles for sports and life

This was a fun read, and would be enjoyable for any fan of Ohio State, football, rugby, or any sports junkie. Ebner's unprecedented journey is inspiring, and highlights the importance of hard work, discipline, and unhindered determination that is required to accomplish life goals, while not trivializing the inevitable struggles that will occur. It's also thought provoking for any boy-dad that desires to have a profound impact on his son(s). Love is spelled T-I-M-E.

[Coen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have given something between 3 and 3.5 stars if that were possible. The parts where Nate talks about the relationship with his father Jeff are amazing and inspiring, but would have liked to know more about the Patriots and the Olympic sevens set-up. These parts are too superficial unfortunately. There is also too little space reserved for the period 2016-2020.

[Brandon Rathbun · Rating 3 out of 5]

The parts Nate talk about his father and their relationship is great work. Unfortunately the rest of the book felt wordy and in the wrong parts. Nate gives great detail in his book but I felt, often, they were the wrong details.
Could have been 60 pages shorter as well.

[Mark Cubillos · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational story about Nate Ebner as he journeys through his career after the loss of his father. His love for rugby is relatable and the story about the Olympics is heartwarming and heartbreaking. Overall, I think the book is worth a read and has an uplifting message.

[Dr NSCA-CPT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several chapters are very inspiring.

[Payton Rohrer]

Genuinely so inspiring

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have rated this book at 3.75 stars. Nate Ebner is a three time superbowl champion and an Olympic Rugby participant who made as a walk on with the Ohio State football team as you may know one of the premier college programs. This covers his life growing up and following in his mentor, his best friend, his fathers foot steps in his love for Rugby. Nate's father was a work out fanatic, he records of every work out and instilled this into Nate along with an amazing work ethic. He also instilled the ability to not be concerned about what others think about you. The first twenty-five percent of this book i was not a total fan as it seemed to be all over the place and repeated situations maybe just changing the wording a little bit. In my opinion it was written by a meathead. But stick with the book as it gets alot better as Nate comes out from a very dark place when his father passes away and Nate progress through rugby and football. This man has to be the poster child for determination and hard work. This was a good book in the end.

[Bill B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Nate's story- how he developed into who he is, his father's influence, and his amazing mindset.