Preseason countdown, final day.
Tick, tick, tick, the second and hour hands seemed to be turning faster and faster, and the sense of urgency gradually became clear. Yesterday, Lu Ke completed the signing and officially became a member of the San Francisco 49ers; tomorrow, the preseason will officially kick off, which also means that the new season is not far away.
Everything happened so fast, "Le Monde" didn't even have time to publish Lin Shuyuan's interview, and Lu Ke hadn't even savored the pace of life of a professional team. The new season was already around the corner.
The preseason is imminent. For Lu Ke, the hourglass of time is becoming more and more urgent. Lu Ke still has many, many things to complete. Not to mention other things, it is just the tactical manual. This is the top priority, but Lu Ke got the tactical manual. It's only been one night, and not to mention understanding and applying it, I haven't even finished the task of reading through it.
No one will help Lu Ke, and no one can spare time to help Lu Ke. Even Logan, Marcus, Aldon and others are the same, they are powerless; Lu Ke can only work hard on his own, this is the only way.
At five o'clock in the morning, dawn had just broken in the sky, and Lu Ke had already gotten up and started a new day.
Before 5:30, we drove to the training base and took the lead in simple warm-up exercises and basic training.
At six o'clock sharp, after having a simple breakfast, I spent an hour continuing to browse the tactical manual and finishing last night's homework.
At seven o'clock sharp, Lu Ke engaged in training again, first with half an hour of yoga, and then with passing training and footwork training.
At about 8:05 or 8:10, the team's rookies began to arrive at the training base one after another. Only then did they realize that someone had arrived earlier than them and started a day of training, sweating like rain; another day later After a while, most of the senior players had arrived at the scene, laughing and relaxed and getting ready to start training.
For those veterans of the game, even in the regular season, there is not much tension the day before the game day, and it is more about relaxation; not to mention the insignificant preseason games?
In their eyes, Lu Ke was more like a laughing stock: either the stupid bird flew first, or he was just showing off, not worth mentioning at all.
While looking back and forth, Lu Ke completed his daily training in an orderly manner. He looked at his watch and saw that the hour hand was already pointing to 8:25. Lu Ke just finished the first wave of training in the morning and returned to the locker room, preparing to take a shower, change clothes, and then join the team's daily training.
Entering the locker room, noisy discussions and chatter can be heard all the time, and the whole space is full of life. On the table on the left, there are a lot of brand-new helmets neatly placed. They are shiny and have a dark gold background and bright red stripes. The contrast is sharp, but it is also perfect and harmonious. It easily attracts everyone's attention.
The San Francisco 49ers home jersey is a red top and gold sweatpants. It is grand and luxurious. It is undoubtedly one of the best-looking jerseys in the entire league in design and matching. Whenever there is a home game, Candlestick Park will turn into a vast sea of red and gold, which is a spectacular sight.
At this time, the senior players were gathered around the table, chattering and discussing. Lu Ke did not step forward to join in the fun. Although he was very curious about these helmets, he had not seen them when he came to the locker room in the morning, and they had obviously just been placed there; but now there was not enough time, and he had to speed up if he did not want to be late for the official training.
So, Lu Ke suppressed his curiosity, quickly walked into the shower room, took a simple combat shower, and then came out to change into a new dry jersey, but then, Lu Ke couldn't find his helmet.
When he arrived in the locker room this morning, Lu Ke saw the helmet in his closet. For the first time since college, he saw his name on a helmet and jersey. "14, LU", although it is not the number 11 of his dreams, it is still a milestone progress. The freshness and pride make Lu Ke unable to put it down on both the jersey and the helmet.
However, there was no confrontation in the previous solo training, so Lu Ke did not wear a helmet and just trained in sportswear. But now, the helmet is gone.
"Logan, have you seen my helmet?" Lu Ke looked around and asked in a loud voice.
Logan was tying his shoelaces and raised his head with confusion on his face, "What? Didn't you wear a helmet when you trained in the morning?" He had long been accustomed to Lu Ke's diligence and hard work, and he didn't find it strange at all.
Lu Ke shrugged, "No, I left the helmet where it was." Then, Lu Ke began to circle around the locker room, looking for his own helmet. When he saw the free helmet, he asked other players , "Is that your helmet?" However, there is no No. 14 helmet.
After going around twice, Lu Ke still couldn't find his helmet, and the players had begun to leave the locker room one after another, and the countdown to the nine o'clock training time had begun.
"Bambi, do you need help?" Marcus came over and patted Lu Ke on the shoulder.
"No, you guys go out first, I'll be right over." Lu Ke gestured towards Marcus and Logan, and saw Aldon cast a questioning look from the far side of his eyes, Lu Ke gestured "OK" gesture to reassure him, and then looked for his helmet again.
After going around in a circle, the senior players gradually left. Lu Ke came to the table where the helmets were placed, and there was a black player busy next to him.
We trained together yesterday, and Lu Ke knew him. He was running back Kendall Hunter, who was also a freshman. "Hey Kendall, what the hell is going on with these helmets?"
Lu Ke wondered if his helmet might have been mixed up here and the equipment administrator had put it in the wrong place; or if he could borrow a helmet from here to temporarily cope with this morning's training.
Kendall looked up. "These helmets are souvenirs, you know, for charity."
Every year, each team conducts charity activities. They prepare a variety of souvenirs, including jerseys, helmets, rugby balls, scarves, photos and other items. Players sign their signatures Afterwards, donate to charity organizations and carry out public welfare activities.
Not only professional teams, but also college leagues have similar activities.
"You haven't signed yet? Sign quickly." Kendall suddenly remembered that since Lu Ke had raised a question, he must not have signed yet, so he picked up the carbon pen next to him and handed it over.
Lu Ke recalled the grand occasion that the veteran players gathered here just now, and the reason was explained - of course they were not excited about the new helmets, "Do first-year students also want to sign?"
"Of course, everyone on the team has to sign." Kendall laughed. "They said the signings must be completed this morning and they will be shipped out at noon." Kendall also gestured to him My own helmet, just signed.
So, Lu Ke took the carbon pen, looked for the No. 14 helmet, then quickly signed his name in the blank space and put the helmet down again, "Did you see the extra helmet? I can't find it. My own helmet.”
"Did you look for it on the court? Could it be that other players didn't pay attention to the number and got it wrong?" Kendall raised a possibility.
Lu Ke looked around and nodded helplessly. This was a possibility; what's more, the training time was coming, and he had to rush out to report first. With a sigh, Lu Ke and Kendall left the locker room together. Ran to the court.
On the court, coaches have arrived one after another, gathering together in twos and threes, talking in low voices.
Logan saw Lu Ke's figure and asked, "Where is your helmet?"
Lu Ke spread his hands and smiled bitterly. He knew that it was possible that the player actually took the wrong helmet; but more likely, it was a prank. However, he was helpless at this time. He could only shake his head, enter the team first, and stand with his teammates on the offensive team.
"Assemble!" Jim Hubble took the folder, walked to the front, and shouted loudly. All the players began to line up in an orderly manner, and then Jim began a mobilization speech and explained today's training plan.
Lu Ke used the corner of his sight to look around, looking for his helmet with the last glimmer of hope, but the bubble of hope was quickly burst, "Lu Ke?" A shout came from outside the team, interrupted Jim's lecture.
In an instant, everyone in the audience turned their attention to it. The person who came was the equipment manager, holding a helmet in his hand, "Lu Ke? This is your helmet."
On that brand-new, bright helmet, the signature written in black carbon pen was so conspicuous: Lu Ke. Visible to almost everyone.
Swishing, all eyes were focused on Lu Ke, sharp and spicy, teasing and sarcastic. At this moment, Lu Ke wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it, and then Pares's teasing voice came over, "Lu Ke, it seems that you have found the most loyal fan in the world - yourself."
With a "boom", everyone burst into laughter.
Lu Ke opened his mouth and tried to argue, but Jim cut off this possibility, "Lu Ke, come here to get your helmet. Don't be like a clown, trying to please others."
Lu Ke clenched his fists. He knew that no matter what he said at this time, he would be humiliating himself. Therefore, the best option is to shut up and end this farce quickly.
Logan and Marcus cast worried glances. Lu Ke shook his head, indicating that he was fine, and then quickly walked out of the queue and took the helmet from the equipment manager. He also explained seriously, "Souvenirs and regular equipment are There are differences, please pay attention next time. Also, your souvenir has not been signed yet. Remember to come to the locker room later to complete the signature."
Shame, real shame.
Lu Ke bit his gums hard and said, "Okay, I understand." He took his helmet, but the signature on it was so dazzling, always reminding him of his embarrassment and unhappiness.
I secretly told myself: The small actions off the court are not important. What really determines the outcome is the performance on the court. The one who laughs last is the one who laughs best. Who will win is yet to be determined.
He remembered today's transaction.
