"Do you have a clear goal for the future?" Lu Ke was slowly reversing the car and entering the parking space when Laihe's question came to his ears. Such a broad and profound question came without warning.
Lu Ke couldn't help but froze and laughed; however, he did not answer immediately, but parked the car steadily, turned off the engine, and then turned to look at Laihe, "You are testing my reversing ability. Or are you testing my ability to adapt to changes?" Such comments made Laihe smile.
After the joke, Lu Ke stopped smiling and said seriously, "Everyone talks about the Super Bowl. Winning the Super Bowl is everyone's goal. Obviously, I am no exception." There was no original answer, but sincerity. Sincere answer, "But I know my position clearly. The Super Bowl is still too far away for me. That is the ultimate goal; now for me, winning the starting position and winning every win is what it's all about." .”
It is not modesty and caution, nor belittle oneself, but down-to-earth.
Every player in the league aspires to win the Super Bowl, that is the ultimate goal, but there is only one championship every year. For Lu Ke, instead of thinking too high-minded about the Super Bowl, he should actually improve his own strength. After all, for him now, the starting position and game victory are the most practical and most desired things.
"Win the game one game at a time. Then I think the Super Bowl will be a matter of course." Lu Ke showed a big smile, his eyes shining with confidence and perseverance.
Lech smiled and nodded. "That was fun," was his assessment.
In Lu Ke, he has the calmness and restraint of an Easterner, as well as the confidence and extroversion of a Westerner, truly blending the characteristics of the two cultures together. As the first Chinese-American player in the history of the NFL, Leh is not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, and what future it can lead to; but what is certain is that this is an interesting thing.
Lu Ke nodded meaningfully and pursed his lips, "This is also an interesting comment." The same adjective has a different meaning. "Okay. I have to go to the training ground now, what about you? Do you want me to call a taxi for you?"
Lech showed a gentle smile on his wrinkled face and waved his hand gently, "Don't worry. This is Candlestick Park, not a national park. I always have a way to go home."
Lu Ke didn't be too polite. After getting off the car, he said goodbye to Laihe again, then carried his equipment and walked towards the locker room.
Laihe is an agent, and a very confident agent; Lu Ke knows exactly what this means. But in fact, he was not in a hurry.
It's not because Lu Ke doesn't need an agent. On the contrary, it's precisely because of the importance and key of an agent that Lu Ke hopes to choose carefully.
Just like Trent Baalke's original idea of choosing Lu Ke, everyone has a mental calculation. If Lu Ke succeeds in establishing a foothold in the league, even if he is not a starter or a main force, just a stable and reliable substitute, then Lu Ke's commercial value in the Asian immigrant market, and even the Asian market, will definitely Not to be underestimated.
It is not a consideration from a competitive perspective, but a strategy from a business operation perspective. The title of "the first Asian player in NFL history" has a commercial value that goes without saying. When the San Francisco 49ers announced that Lu Ke would become the starting quarterback, even the league officials affirmed it and launched a series of publicity.
Lu Ke was not a professional about this, but he was not ignorant either.
An excellent agent, a correct agent, and a consistent agent are all crucial to Lu Ke's career, market development, future planning and even personal life.
In fact, the relationship between agents and players is a two-way choice. Both parties can choose to accompany each other to success, but they can also choose to fire the other party at any time.
Agents hope to gain more benefits through players; similarly, players also hope to better plan their careers through agents. A truly excellent and good cooperative relationship should be about mutual help and mutual promotion; however, in the materialistic modern society, this employment relationship is very fragile.
The movie "Honey" starring Tom Cruise focuses on a football agent. In the movie, the character played by Tom focuses all his energy on one player, desperately and wholeheartedly helping his player. Get to the top.
But in real life, driven by profit, one agent often has multiple players under his command, and top agents like Tom Condon abound.
Although it is not uncommon for players to change agents or for agents to terminate their contracts, Lu Ke does not want to spend too much time with his agent. He just wants to focus on the game and training wholeheartedly. As for off-court All the trivial matters are left to the agent.
If possible, Lu Ke does not want to change agents frequently.
In the first week of the regular season, after the game against the Seattle Seahawks, Lu Ke's personal mobile phone received calls from fourteen different agents. They introduced themselves, had basic communication, and planned their careers. , they expressed their ambitions...
However, there are too many people, which makes it confusing and difficult to judge, which is counterproductive.
For Lu Ke, it was more like an annoying sales call. He could not remember the names of any of the fourteen agents. Then, the second week of competition came, and then, two consecutive victories were obtained. After the game, there were countless calls. Lu Ke simply muted the call and didn't answer any of them.
There were a total of seventy-eight missed calls before and after, each from twenty-seven different unknown calls. A little crazy.
Now, Lech-Steinberg appeared in front of Lu Ke in person. It was no longer a phone call, but a face-to-face conversation, and the real feelings became clearer bit by bit. Not only does it show Lech's sincerity, but it also outlines the role of "agent".
However, Lu Ke did not get carried away, but carefully selected. Since he has missed the signing and negotiation of the rookie contract, there is no harm in delaying it a little longer; what's more, the third week of the regular season is imminent, and Lu Ke needs to concentrate, and these off-court matters will be put aside for the time being.
It's Wednesday, and there's a full day of heavy work ahead. Lu Ke took firm steps without any nostalgia or pause.
Laihe did not leave, standing in the parking lot, watching Lu Ke's retreating back, his eyes showing amusement. Compared to Lu Ke, Laihe obviously gained more today.
Lech Steinberg, 62 years old, is one of the most senior and authoritative big-name agents in the industry.
He is not affiliated with any top agency, but has his own independent sports agency "Steinberg, Murad and Dunn Sports Agency". As the name suggests, the company's name comes from the surnames of the three partners ; But this independent sports company is one of the top entities in the industry.
Unlike Tom Condon, Lech Steinberg is an alternative in the industry. Since his career, in almost every era, he has only focused on being an agent for a quarterback, leaving all his care and efforts only to A player.
In the 1990s, Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers was a three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback; in the 1990s, Troy Aikman of the Dallas Cowboys was a three-time Super Bowl quarterback. A one-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback; in the first decade of the 21st century, Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers was a two-time Super Bowl champion and the holder of many rookie quarterback records.
Of course, the peak years of activity of these quarterbacks have more or less overlapped periods, but overall, Leh will never represent too many players, adhere to the route of less but better, and truly put his work into practice. Pushing it to the extreme, becoming the best among the best in the industry step by step. Even top agents such as Tom Condon must give him three points of favor in front of Leh.
For reference, the real-life prototype of "Mr. Sweetheart" is Lech-Steinberg.
Currently, the only football player in Lech's hands is "Big Ben" Ben Roethlisberger.
Big Ben was a rookie who entered the league in 2004. In the blink of an eye, the rookie has transformed into a seven-year veteran. This year officially entered his eighth season; intermittently, Leh has been looking for rookie players worthy of taking over, but he adheres to the principle of Rather than waste, he never signed the next quarterback.
Until Lu Ke appeared.
To be honest, Leh has still not made a decision. Today is just his first contact and observation; but he has gained a lot.
The first time I noticed Lu Ke can be traced back to the Rose Bowl at the beginning of the year. Lech, who now lives in Los Angeles, was at the game that night, witnessed the buzzing call, witnessed the comeback in the final two minutes, and was impressed by the backup quarterback.
But, that's all. Lech did not launch any investigation. What aroused interest at that time was Lu Ke's Chinese identity. Curiosity and gossip took over.
The surprise and brilliance in the rookie training camp made Leh really interested in Lu Ke, because he knows better than anyone else the potential of the Asian market and Asian immigrants.
Today's formal contact has subverted some ideas, but also strengthened others. This player is indeed an interesting guy.
Now, Leh is also looking forward to it. Who will win this week's battle for the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback?
On one side is the No. 1 draft quarterback, a veteran of the league, who plays steadily, but has never broken through the window. He has returned from injury and is trying to complete his own breakthrough; on the other side is the rookie quarterback, whose skills are astonishing, but also has ups and downs. After two consecutive victories, Hope it can continue.
It seems like a natural choice, but upon closer inspection, it is full of countless possibilities. Jim Hubble, the decision is now in his hands.
