American Football: King of the Bay Area

”Lu Ke, if I may ask, what exactly happened on that run you had in the first half? The Pirate Team’s Defense Line had you completely surrounded. How on earth did you break out?”

Amid the bustling chorus of questions, a particularly probing one was asked. In an instant, all eyes locked onto Lu Ke, curious and expectant. The intense gazes made Lu Ke a little uncomfortable. He subconsciously raised his right hand to scratch his head, a puzzled look on his face as he lamented, ”Oh, that’s a tough one.”

He chuckled after saying it, which made the reporters break into smiles as well. ”I mean, I was trapped in the pocket, and the only thing on my mind was to not fumble the ball. Then I tried to break the tackle, and then... and then I squeezed out of the encirclement. Wait, why does my description make me sound like a gopher?”

All the reporters burst into laughter, and even his teammates standing nearby started to heckle him. ”Well, aren’t you?”

”Get lost.” Lu Ke flipped the bird at the group of troublemakers, but he couldn’t stop smiling himself. ”What I mean is, it was a really chaotic situation. Whether it was the Offense Line or the Defense Line, everyone had lost their balance, so the tackles weren’t very solid. After I unexpectedly escaped, I saw an opening and just ran with the ball.”

”Lu Ke, are you aware that your one run gained more yards than the combined total of all three of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running backs? What are your thoughts on that?”

”Ouch?” A simple response, no extra explanation or words. The end of the exclamation even tilted up slightly, tinged with a questioning confusion. Everyone at the scene burst out laughing again.

After the laughter gradually died down, there wasn’t an immediate follow-up question from the reporters. Lu Ke scanned the journalists before him and cast an inquisitive look their way. ”No more questions? Then I’ll head back to the locker room...” He hadn’t even finished his sentence when wet drops started falling on his head, as if the ceiling was leaking.

He looked up and saw a waterfall of orange Gatorade energy drink pouring down.

With no time to dodge or resist, Lu Ke could only close his eyes and fully enjoy the ”Gatorade Bath.”

This is a tradition on the fields of the NFL, which first appeared during the live broadcast of Thanksgiving games. Every year, the NFL schedules a game on Thanksgiving and Christmas, dubbed the ”Thanksgiving Classic” and ”Christmas Classic,” to present a spectacular game for families gathered together. Any team that makes it onto such a broadcast stage is bound to be a team with high popularity or an exciting matchup. It’s a stage second only to the Super Bowl.

Thus, the winning team continued this tradition, lifting the officially sponsored Gatorade cooler and dumping it over the head of the game’s MVP. It could be the head coach, the quarterback, or a hero from the Defense Team. The chosen person is not only the hero of the victory but also a well-liked and respected member of the team.

Later, this tradition gradually became widespread. After important games, players would lift the Gatorade cooler to celebrate.

Today was just a normal regular season game; and not even one that decided a playoff spot, just a game in the first half of the season. But who would have thought that Lu Ke would actually get a ”Gatorade Bath”? Was this an unexpected surprise?

Logan Newman, Michael Crabtree, Mike Lupati, and Ted Ginn Jr. were the four who orchestrated and carried out this prank. The rest of the players on the team all started hooting and hollering, a lively mix of whistles and playful shouts. Even the reporters were all smiling. The atmosphere was incredibly cheerful.

WHOOSH. It was over in an instant, like a torrential downpour, all dumped out at once. Lu Ke was instantly soaked through and through. The sticky energy drink seeped down his back and into his pants. His whole face was stained orange, as if he’d eaten too many oranges.

”Tell me, who was it that ’accidentally’ knocked the ice bucket into the cooler?” Lu Ke said calmly, without turning around or looking back—

The Gatorade Bath wasn’t the problem. The problem was that the drink was mixed with heaps and heaps of ice cubes, which came crashing down on his head, making his head, cheeks, shoulders, and other places ache dully.

Though his tone was placid, the sinister undercurrent hidden within it sent a chill down one’s spine.

Logan, who knew Lu Ke best, was the first to bolt. He turned and fled, ducking back into the locker room in the blink of an eye. Crabtree and Ginn were smart guys too, with a strong ability to read the room. They immediately beat a hasty retreat, escaping the scene of the crime amidst a roar of laughter.

And so, Lupati was left standing there alone, looking endearingly clueless. He blinked. ”Bambi, you okay? Need me to get you a towel?”

”I already have one.” Lu Ke held up his right hand, gesturing to the towel in his hand that was already a third of the way soaked, and said calmly, ”Mike, I think it would be best if you leave now. Otherwise, I’m not too sure what might happen.”

Lupati didn’t get it. He gave a bewildered, ”Oh.” Then it seemed to dawn on him, and he nodded repeatedly. ”Oh, oh.” He turned, took a few steps, but then stopped again. ”Bambi, are you sure?”

”Run, Forrest, run!” Aldon Smith, who had been giving an interview nearby, came over to join the fun, shouting out loud. Only then did Lupati nod, quickly turn, and leave. The other 49ers players all doubled over with laughter, their stomachs aching.

Lu Ke raised the towel, deliberately wiped the Gatorade from his eyes, opened them, and looked at the reporters with a smile. ”Now, where were we?”

Even Harry Weens, even the slowest reporter, could feel the joyful atmosphere in the San Francisco 49ers’ locker room at this moment.

Winning solves everything. On the field of competitive sports, this is an eternal law. Even though Lu Ke was a rookie, the team was currently on a high-speed track to victory, and other problems ceased to be problems. For the reporters, it was the same.

”Lu Ke, among this year’s rookies, is it true that you and Watt are friends? Over the past few weeks, Watt’s performance with the Houston Texans has also been spectacular. Have you two exchanged any opinions or thoughts?”

Compared to previous weeks, the reporters’ questioning style and content were quietly changing. Questions focusing on his Chinese descent were disappearing, and questions about him being undrafted were also decreasing. More and more, people were starting to focus on Lu Ke’s on-field performance and his future prospects as a rookie player in the Alliance.

Although this change was subtle, it was tangible proof that with his performance over five regular season weeks, Lu Ke was proving himself step by step through his abilities. After today’s big win, the entire interview area was cheerful and lighthearted—perhaps with the sole exception of Harry.

Among this year’s rookies, Lu Ke on the offense and Watt from the Defense Team were being hailed as the ”Shining Twin Stars.” With their outstanding performances, both had firmly established themselves on their respective teams and become key components of their teams’ victories. So, when word got out from within the Alliance that Lu Ke and Watt had been friends since the Rookie Training Camp, the media reporters were instantly thrilled.

”Occasionally. We’ll send emails or texts now and then.” The reporters were referring to JJ Watt. During the Rookie Training Camp, Lu Ke hadn’t made many friends; Aldon was one, and Watt was another. ”I know JJ’s performance has been outstanding. It’s a shame we probably won’t have a chance to face each other on the field this year. I got a taste of his strength back at the Rookie Training Camp, and I’m very curious to see who would have the upper hand if we were to face off again now.”

The Houston Texans are a team in the American League; the San Francisco 49ers don’t have a game against them this year, and they wouldn’t meet in the playoffs either.

”Maybe the Super Bowl?” a reporter boldly suggested. That was the only possible way the two could meet this season.

Lu Ke laughed cheerfully. ”Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One step at a time.”

”What about Cam Newton?” Abruptly, Harry’s sharp and piercing voice rang out again.

”What?” Lu Ke’s brow furrowed slightly. He hadn’t heard that name in several weeks. After all, the 49ers and the Panthers had no chance of facing each other this year, at least not in the regular season, so people had gradually stopped paying special attention.

”Cam Newton, this year’s number one draft pick. Just now, they lost their fourth game of the last five regular season weeks. For two consecutive weeks, Newton’s performance has been in a slump. He didn’t get a passing Touchdown, his running game was contained, and his quarterback rating was pretty terrible. It seems he’s facing some trouble.” Harry’s seemingly calm tone was laced with an edge. ”Are you two friends?”

”I haven’t asked for his number in a bar, if that’s what you mean.” Faced with Harry’s loaded, persistent questioning, Lu Ke responded with a joke.

The small joke instantly relaxed the tense atmosphere again, but Lu Ke’s gaze remained locked on Harry, unblinking.

Not a word was spoken, but his unwavering, dignified gaze clearly expressed Lu Ke’s resolve and stance. Finally, Lu Ke broke into a polite smile. ”I think I’d better end the interview now. First, I need to find the culprits and make them truly regret their little prank. Second, I need to clean myself up in the shower. I think my hair is so sticky it’s starting to get matted, and I’d like to try and save it before it’s beyond hope.”

Once again, Lu Ke’s words drew a round of laughter from everyone—with one exception, Harry Weens.

Harry watched Lu Ke’s departing back, a profound, thoughtful look in his eyes.