Lu Ke, of Chinese descent, was about to turn 22 in three months. In August 2011, he officially joined the San Francisco 49ers and became a member of the team. At the same time, he became the second person in NFL history to join the official roster. Chinese players——
In 2010, Chinese-American player Wang Kai, who plays as an offensive tackle, was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 140th pick in the fifth round of the draft. He became the first Chinese-American player to enter the league in history. However, he never He has not started any games. He only played six games as a rotation player last season, participated in a small part of the offense, and did not produce any outstanding statistics.
Just last week, the Buffalo Bills announced they were placing him on the injured list (see note).
The dream really came true!
Passionate emotions, surging excitement and surging joy are rushing through the chest, so full that it is almost breathless. The overflowing happiness brews an impulse to scream, shout and cheer. So, Lu Ke did this.
Lu Ke clenched his fists, jumped high, waved his right fist, and beat it wildly in the air, using all his strength to vent his inner excitement and excitement; every cell in his body was roaring, and his body Every muscle in his body was celebrating, and even his fingertips began to tremble slightly, as if the flowing blood had reached the boiling point.
It’s not just the past year. This long road to dreams can be traced back to the distant childhood. It started when I first stepped on the football field at the age of nine. From a toddler to going through hardships, step by step, After all the hard work, sweat, struggle and struggle in the past twelve years, he finally knocked on this door!
He knows that the world behind the door is more dangerous, cruel, and difficult; he also knows that this is just the simplest first step on the road to success. However, he is ready, and he will continue to move forward with his head held high, and nothing can stop him! Overcoming thorns and thorns, climbing over mountains and ridges, riding the wind and waves, keep moving forward!
After leaping high and falling heavily in a wanton and arrogant way, and after celebrating wildly, Lu Ke realized that Tom was standing next to him, and his face couldn't help but show a bit of jerkiness. The passion released in that moment seemed to be a little forgotten.
However, Tom didn't care at all. Instead, he stood quietly with a smile on his face. "The fans will like this way of celebrating, especially after you score a touchdown."
Although his chest was still full of enthusiasm, and although his happiness was still boiling, Lu Ke forced himself to calm down and said with a smile, "The premise is that I can get a chance to play." The substitute quarterback is still a substitute after all, a senior This season, Lu Ke has been sitting on the bench for a whole season, and he is no stranger to this.
Such teasing made Tom smile. This rookie talks and laughs easily and is easy to deal with. He believes that the media will also like him. Of course, the premise is that he can play; and win the game.
"Where did we just talk?" Tom returned to the topic again, "By the way, lawyer. We must hurry up now." Tom greeted Lu Ke and walked into the elevator. After pressing the floor, he thought for a while, " The lawyers will answer the contract questions, but there are a few things I need to know first."
"First of all, you are the third quarterback of the team." Tom did not explain further, but Lu Ke nodded understandingly.
Things have become clear. The San Francisco 49ers have decided to choose Colin Kaepernick to become the team's main quarterback. The next four preseason games will be Colin's best stage; Alex Smith is the quarterback. The team's second quarterback, it seems that his injury is not as serious as reported by the media. During the regular season, Alex may play at any time and regain the position of the main quarterback-it mainly depends on Colin's performance. The performance of the rookie quarterback.
Naturally, Lu Ke is the third quarterback, the alternative to the alternative.
"Secondly, what is your jersey number?" Tom asked. Lu Ke reflexively said "11", and then saw Tom shake his head, "Alex is No. 11, you can only choose other numbers. …”
Tom was also going to let Lu Ke go back and think slowly, but Lu Ke then added, "What about the 14th?" His birthday is November 11th. If he chooses his birth date as the password, this will be very important to him. In other words, it is actually a disadvantage. Besides the number "11", Lu Ke's favorite number is "14". "1" represents "11" and "4" represents the "four ones" of birthday numbers.
"Then it will be the 14th." Tom decided immediately.
Lu Ke couldn't help but think about it: when the system asked him for his jersey number, he chose "No. 11", but now he has become "No. 14". Is this a conflict? Or is it that the system's jersey number is adjusted accordingly based on his actual situation in real life?
However, his thoughts just flashed by, and Tom continued, "Today is just about browsing and explaining the contract, and there will be no formal signing. Tomorrow morning, you need to come to the team and undergo a comprehensive physical examination. Waiting After the physical examination report comes out, we will arrange a formal signing."
"Understood." Lu Ke had no objection to this. This is also the standard process for team signings.
"Also, a copy of the team's training schedule will be sent to your mailbox at that time, so don't worry. But it's basically like this. I have a holiday on Monday, watch the video on Tuesday, and officially report to the team base on Wednesday to start training. Of course, there may be changes depending on the team's game time." Tom explained quickly.
In the official season, Sunday is the regular game day, and most games start on time in the afternoon; in addition, there are Thursday night games, Sunday night games, and Monday night games. These three games will be played across the country. The average number of viewers for each live broadcast of a large-scale game is around 20 million or even 30 million.
On different game days, the training arrangements are naturally different.
Without a pause, Tom went on for another long paragraph. "The daily training time is at nine o'clock in the morning. If there are special circumstances, we will notify you separately. Also, I will arrange for a nutritionist and a physical fitness specialist to meet with you as soon as possible and arrange a recipe for you. However, these are things later, you Don’t worry too much.”
"By the way, one last thing, your personal locker, your training items, jerseys, etc. will be arranged tomorrow. You don't have to worry." After leaving the elevator, Tom stopped, " So, do you have any other questions?"
"Can you give me your business card?" Lu Ke's answer made Tom smile with satisfaction, and he took the initiative to take out a business card from his jacket pocket.
However, Tom did not hand it directly to Lu Ke, but explained, "Use the phone during working hours, and use email after working hours. In emergencies, what I call emergencies includes any accident. For example, you are drunk in a bar." , got jealous and got into a fight with others. Please be sure to call me. If you have an agent, ask your agent to call me as soon as possible."
As a reserve reporter, Lu Ke understood better than Tom how the so-called "accident" should be defined, but he didn't say anything more. He just nodded, "Understood." Then he took the business card and looked up and down. He was still wearing his training jersey, which had no pockets at all, so he could only hold it in his palm.
Tom pushed open the glass door in front of him and said with a smile, "My work ends here. See you tomorrow!"
Entering the office behind the glass door, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie took the initiative to greet him, "Good afternoon, I am Jonas-Fish, the attorney representing the American Football League Players Union. Nice to meet you." you."
In the United States, trade unions are a very important link. Take football as an example. Regarding all contracts, legal affairs and personal interests of players, except for agents, the union will step forward and do its best to protect players and confront the league and teams.
A nobody like Lu Ke has no agent to check for him, and no lawyer to review it for him. Once he signs an unequal slave contract, he will have no way to complain. In order to prevent this situation from happening, the league officially requires that for fresh rookies and undrafted rookies, a union lawyer must be present when the team signs the contract. Other players who are not rookies can also apply if they need it.
"Lu Ke." Lu Ke also took the initiative to step forward and hold the other person's right hand. Then Jonas said with a smile, "Don't say anything about the next thing for now. Leave it all to me. If you have any questions later, , we can discuss it further." So, Lu Ke did the same.
Lines are separated like mountains. For a preparatory reporter, legal provisions are really not his area of expertise. After the official lawyer of the San Francisco 49ers came forward, Lu Ke handed over everything to Jonas, and the two sides began to communicate on the legal provisions.
In fact, in order to protect the interests of rookie players, the league has clear regulations on the lower limit of the salary of rookie players, and specific to different rounds, the salary of first-round picks is naturally the highest; but the league only stipulates the lower limit, as for the upper limit, It depends on the broker’s negotiating skills.
Undrafted rookies are also included.
Basically, rookie contracts are the official version, and there are some slight differences among each team. Despite this, Jonas still negotiated every detail meticulously. It took about forty minutes, and the negotiation finally came to an end. Then, Jonas borrowed a conference room and explained with Lu Ke the complicated things in simple terms.
"My personal suggestion is that you'd better read every item in the contract in detail. If you have any questions, write them in an email. After summarizing them, send them to me and I will answer them." Jonas paused for a moment. Most professional players don't like to deal with these matters, it is too cumbersome and too mentally draining for them.
But surprisingly, Lu Ke didn't and still listened intently.
Jonas couldn't help but curl up the corner of his mouth slightly, "If you don't have the patience to read the entire contract, I have marked it here. These parts are closely related to your personal interests. I think you should be concerned." Facts. Many players are not willing to even these parts, but sign directly, "Finally, about the salary part. The 49ers gave a reasonable number, and I think there is no problem."
At Jonas's signal, Lu Ke looked down at the contract in his hand, and then saw a series of numbers, and his eyebrows raised slightly involuntarily.
Note: Correct the errors in the previous article. Wang Kai is the first Chinese-American player to land in the NFL, but he is not a starting player or a quarterback.
