The seventh-round draft is over; the 2011 draft is over. From the first round to the seventh round, it lasted for three days, with a lot of excitement, excitement, and excitement, and finally came to an end.
This year, a total of five players from UCLA participated in the draft. In the end, four players were successfully selected, with outstanding results. Among them, Raheem Moore was in the second round, Logan Newman was in the third round, and Marcus Lynch and David Carter were both in the sixth round.
The only one who regretted not being selected was Lu Ke.
Yes, Lu Ke's name still did not appear in the seventh-round draft list. Ironically, in the seventh round, the New York Jets also selected a quarterback, Greg McElroy.
The reason why I say "ironic" is because almost no one remembers Greg's performance in rookie training camp.
Greg is 6.16 feet (188 centimeters) tall and weighs 220 pounds (100 kilograms). Compared with Lu Ke, the proportion of height and weight is more coordinated; but other than that, his physical test results are lackluster, including the 40-yard dash, The data of various tests such as twenty-yard return, standing long jump, vertical jump, and three-cone circles are almost the same as those of Lu Ke.
But on the other hand, Greg's performance in the role skill test was mediocre, making 20 of 30 passes; in the subsequent training game, he only advanced less than 30 yards and ended the game with an interception.
In other words, apart from the weight advantage, Greg has almost no advantage in the comparison with Lu Ke. Of course, Greg was a seventh-round draft pick, which was not an outstanding draft round in the first place; however, between Greg and Lu Ke, the New York Jets chose the former instead of excelling in passing, offense, on-the-spot command, etc. Excellent Lu Ke.
Placed in the seventh round of the draft, people can say that this is an ambiguous choice, and the Jets made the decision that suits them best; but it can also be said that this is the current situation of the NFL: Don't say a Chinese-American quarterback Even if he is a Chinese player, this is a huge challenge for any team, even an open and huge ball market like New York, let alone teams in other cities?
Many times, racial discrimination is not necessarily contemptuous and dirty swear words, nor is it necessarily condescending exclusion. The concepts and thoughts that are deeply rooted in the bone marrow essentially distinguish the two races. This is the real most important thing. Horrible discrimination. Because this is almost irreversible. It took black people half a century, and women two centuries, and they are still struggling.
What about yellow people?
In the fields of football, basketball, and even track and field, the yellow race represented by the Chinese are gradually expanding their territory, proving that race is not the biggest constraint on sports talent, but prejudice is. However, the rugby field is still virgin territory. This is a difficult problem left for Lu Ke, and it is also a natural chasm that stands in front of Lu Ke.
The fact is that the New York Jets selected Greg McElroy in the seventh round instead of Lu Ke.
Of course, Lu Ke had almost no performance opportunities during his college years. There was no video data, no reference objects, and no scouting reports. He only relied on fifteen minutes plus two minutes of game, and his ups and downs in the rookie training camp. It was not enough for Lu Ke to break the racial barriers.
Thus, the draft came to an end, and Lu Ke was defeated.
After sending away the Newman family and Logan, who couldn't stop howling like ghosts and wolves, the house finally became quiet. Lu Zhengze and Jiang Youning turned around and returned to the house. Through the hall, they could see Lu Ke standing in the backyard.
At this time, Lu Ke was standing in the porch with his back to them. The wind chimes beside him were tinkling, clear and distant, and the cold moonlight and creamy yellow lights fell down, outlining the loneliness and confusion on his back.
Looking at her son's back, Jiang Youning was filled with bitterness, but she didn't know how to express it. She knew better than anyone else how much effort Lu Ke had put in to get to this point.
She still remembers that in the ninth grade, Lu Ke was unable to form an effective confrontation during the team's training because of his thin body. His physical strength, endurance and explosive power were all at a disadvantage. In order to keep up with the competitiveness of his teammates, Lu Ke trains hard every day and never dares to relax.
One day, Lu Ke had a slight fever due to being caught in the rain, but he still refused to miss and insisted on joining the team's daily training. Halfway through the training, Lu Ke sneaked to a place where no one noticed, vomited for a while until the bile came out, and then pretended to be fine and sneaked back to continue training.
After coming back, Lu Ke's face was pale and there was no blood at all. He passed out directly on the porch of his home. If Tiffany across the door hadn't found him in time, noticed that Lu Ke's body was hot, and immediately sent him to the hospital, who would have been there? What consequences. Later, the doctor checked and said that Lu Ke had a high fever of 39 and a half degrees and bronchitis. The inflammation was spreading to the lungs. If he was not careful, his condition might be unimaginable.
Jiang Youning, who rushed to the hospital at that time, was so scared that she couldn't help but cry. Lu Ke, who finally regained consciousness, comforted her, "Mom, this will give me a chance to be lazy, and you won't worry anymore." Only half of the words were said. , fell asleep again, and seemed to have been burned out.
Such an accident was not the only one. Jiang Youning felt heartbroken every time he saw Lu Ke training so hard, but in the end Lu Ke was always able to grit his teeth and persevere. When he failed to make the team for two consecutive years in college, he didn't give up; when he was a sparring partner in his junior year, he didn't give up... That's how he got to where he is today, step by step.
But now, all his efforts have been negated.
Jiang Youning's nose became sore involuntarily, and tears almost fell. Then, Jiang Youning felt a hug. When she raised her head, she saw her husband's slightly red eyes, "Xiao Ke is the saddest one. You know, what he needs most is our support. Your son won't He is easily defeated, even if neither of us can hold on anymore, he still won't give up easily. So, we can't be weak before he gives up."
"I just feel sorry for him..." Jiang Youning raised his hand to cover his mouth, and then wiped away the tears on his cheeks vigorously. If she could, she would rather Lu Ke become a reporter than fight on the rugby field. As a mother, she would be proud no matter what achievements Lu Ke achieved!
"I know." Lu Zhengze hugged his wife and patted her back gently, "I'll go over and talk to Lu Ke. Remember, he needs our support."
After speaking, Lu Zhengze took a deep breath and then took steps.
Pushing open the screen door at the back, Lu Zhengze walked out. The April monsoon crossed the sea and the hills, mixed with a trace of water vapor and a trace of cold air, blowing in his face, and his brain suddenly sobered up. Lu Zhengze's footsteps stopped beside Lu Ke. He couldn't help but raise his head and look at his son who was taller and stronger than him. He wanted to speak, but he didn't know where to start.
"Dad. I want to keep trying." Lu Ke spoke first, which made Lu Zhengze look at his son's face.
On that face that was gradually fading away and beginning to mature, there was no imaginary loss and sadness, nor imaginary pain and complaint, but a shallow smile, a confident and firm smile.
"I lost the draft, but I am still a failed rookie." Lu Ke met his father's gaze calmly, "I know that I have worked hard for so many years, and I can even say that I tried my best, but I still failed. In this case, know how to Giving up is what a smart person does. I think my brain is pretty good and I can still complete this calculation problem."
Lu Ke chuckled and said jokingly, "The most appropriate thing to do is for me to give up rugby and start looking for a job as a reporter. There are still four months left. Before September, it's all about finding a job." At the peak, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and even New York, I should be throwing out my resume and looking for more opportunities. Make arrangements for the future before the title of a recent graduate starts to fade.”
"But, Dad, I want to try harder." Lu Ke had no reason to be extravagant, but looked at his father sincerely and sincerely, "I know this is stupid and irrational. But, I don't want to do it now. Give up. Not because I am unwilling, but because I feel that I still have potential that has not been tapped. I hope Bole can see it, and I also believe that I can win a place on that court."
The rugby superstar system is one of Lu Ke's strengths; but outside the system, in the years before he obtained the system, Lu Ke never gave up easily. His confidence comes from the system and even more from himself.
Before Xiao Qi, there were at least six other people who obtained the system, but not everyone succeeded. In the final analysis, in the competitive arena, it is you who holds the key to victory.
Lu Zhengze didn't answer immediately. He looked at Lu Ke carefully and couldn't help but feel slightly moved. In his son, he saw his young and vigorous self, who immigrated to the United States in the mid-1990s. It was not as wonderful as he imagined. The difficulties and challenges they faced were far beyond imagination, but he and his wife persevered. They settled down and started a life that belonged to them step by step.
They saw an opportunity and they took it. Now, it's my son's turn.
"Isn't there a gap year here in the United States?" Lu Zhengze finally said, "After graduating from college and before starting a formal job, give yourself a year to explore the world, explore the unknown, and seek what you really want in your heart. Something. Maybe a dream, maybe freedom, maybe wealth."
Lu Zhengze patted Lu Ke on the shoulder, "I hope you can find it. In the sports arena, your mother and I can't help much, but you just need to remember that we will always support you. In our hearts, You are the best quarterback." After taking a long breath, Lu Zhengze also smiled, "So, just go for it. Even if you are an undrafted rookie, you still have a chance. I believe in you. "
The reason why dreams are called "dreams" is not because they are too beautiful, nor because they can be realized, but because they transcend life and reality. The road to dreams requires far more difficulties than Unimaginable, it even requires a little silly courage. Giving up on your dreams is not difficult, but persisting in chasing them is the hardest part.
