Ted Jean was lying quietly on the hospital bed, his arms and thighs wrapped with bandages, but it was not the heavy plaster or dazzling braces he imagined, just the lightest and simplest bandage, with his breezy appearance. It looks like it's just a scratch on the skin.
"Hey, guy, are you here to visit a doctor? Or are you here to hold an autograph session?" Gene's winking expression also seemed a bit funny, and he was even joking. All the details showed that his condition was far beyond imagination. That's bad.
But Lu Ke knew that this was an illusion. There is definitely more to a concussion than meets the eye.
"Autograph session? I think you have underestimated my popularity and influence. If it is an autograph session, it will need to be at least a hundred times larger. Otherwise, fans will not be able to squeeze in." Lu Ke raised his eyebrows slightly. He looked smug and seemed to be showing off arrogantly.
Gene rolled his eyes speechlessly, "I know, I know, being selected to the Pro Bowl will definitely make a difference."
Lu Ke pursed his lips, narrowed his eyes exaggeratedly, and gave a dramatic and exaggerated performance, "So, have we entered the mutual praise mode now? Next, is it my turn to praise you, because You were also selected to the Pro Bowl?”
Gene did not speak, but spread his hands, as if he accepted all the praises calmly.
Lu Ke burst into laughter and said solemnly, "Congratulations, congratulations on being selected for the Pro Bowl! What about the next step, first team All-American or second team All-American? Are you confident?"
"Of course!" Gene nodded without hesitation, "Accept the challenge!" After a pause, Gene continued, "When will you fly to Honolulu? Do you plan to participate in the skills competition? This is your stage. Really show off your skills." His curiosity can be clearly felt in his excited words.
"Tonight's flight." Lu Ke sat down on the other side of the bed. "I will go to my parents' house for lunch later, and then go to the airport. I should participate in the skills competition, Laihe said. It’s an occasion to make friends and the quarterbacks can communicate more. On the field, we are rivals, but off the field, we are not necessarily enemies.”
"Then I'm looking forward to it." Gene expressed his eagerness to try. "Unfortunately, for the first time in my career, I have been selected for the Pro Bowl, but I have to be absent." Gene gestured to his injured area with his eyes. His brows gradually became lonely, "Those top players use injuries as an excuse to avoid travel and potential injuries; but I want to attend the Pro Bowl, but I can't."
Gene sighed softly, raised his eyes again, his expression became lighter again, and looked at Lu Ke, "So, show yourself well on that stage, maybe, after the skills competition is over, you can You have received several advertising sponsorships and endorsements. When the time comes, you will become another spokesperson for the league."
Although Gene's tone was extremely brisk, Lu Ke could still feel deep regret. This time, he did not show a smile, but took a deep breath and changed the topic. The words swirling on the tip of his tongue were extremely obscure, but after all, he still confided, "Sorry, Ted, we didn't win this game."
Gene showed a bitter smile and shrugged lightly, "Of course, no one likes failure. You don't like it, I don't like it. I think Eli Manning won't like it either. But, we all try our best. No regrets, that’s enough. So, no need to apologize, you don’t owe me anything.”
Lu Ke didn't speak, but his dark eyes said everything.
Gene looked down at himself. He was wearing a hospital gown and lying on the hospital bed. He would not be able to participate in practice for a long time; even after he recovered, he was not sure whether his condition could still maintain the level of this season. After five years of ups and downs, he suddenly encountered a head-on blow and his career became uncertain again.
If he said he wasn't disappointed or angry, Gene would definitely be deceiving himself; however, after venting his emotions, he still needed to face reality.
"Bambi, you should know that injuries are part of our career. If you want to escape, retiring is the best way; otherwise, we have to face it with our heads held high, what do you think?" Gene? He raised his eyes again and fell on Lu Ke, but his calm eyes revealed a simplicity, "This is really too bad. I admit that if possible, I hope none of this has happened."
"This" refers to injuries.
"But now, I'm ready to look forward." Gene showed a big smile, "I hope that this time next year, we can stand on the stage of the National League finals again and try our best. You throw the ball to me, I'm responsible for catching the ball and completing the touchdown. How about we work together to fight for the Super Bowl? Isn't this a good idea?"
Gene adjusted his sitting posture, his movements were slightly clumsy, and his exaggerated grinning expression was a bit funny. After finally completing the adjustment, he showed a satisfied smile, seeming to be pleased with his efforts. A positive and uplifting spirit is like the afternoon sun, fresh and dry, hitting your face.
"I will go all out in the next offseason and training camp, starting with rehabilitation and then starting with basic training. This is very difficult. I don't know how difficult it is. After all, I have never had such a situation before. Opportunity." Gene twitched his lips in a self-deprecating tone, and then raised his head with a big smile, "But this time, I plan to give it a try."
There were no heroic words, but he revealed a decisiveness of killing. Those calm eyes suddenly became alive. Gene asked seriously, "Bambi, what do you think?"
Lu Ke was stunned for a moment, savoring Jean's words carefully; then, smiles flowed out of his eyes little by little, and those sorrows, regrets, and desolations gradually faded away under Jean's gaze. The smoke disappeared, "Yes, I think this is a good idea."
Lu Ke nodded gently, thought carefully, and took the initiative to meet Gene's gaze, "I want to win the Super Bowl."
This is his goal, the most important goal at this stage, a goal that every player in the league aspires to achieve, but Lu Ke revealed it in an understatement, with that strong self-confidence and firm belief, the collision created a dazzling spark, and then repeated it again, “I want to win the Super Bowl!”
"In order to achieve this goal, I need my offensive line, I need my running back, I need my tight end, and I also need my wide receiver." Lu Ke looked at Gene intently, with a smile on his face. The smile bloomed brightly, "Ted, I need you to stand on the court and complete those difficult catches. Michael can't do it, Vernon can't do it, Kyle can't do it, and Logan can't do it. Ted, those catches , only you can complete it.”
Plain words, but full of passion.
Involuntarily, Jean's heart began to surge, and he couldn't control himself.
"Take your time, Ted, take your time, one step at a time. Rehabilitation first, then basic training, then training camp, preseason, regular season, then playoffs, Super Bowl ...A season sounds very short, but it is actually extremely long. We need to focus on the present and play week after week. Ted, I need you to walk with me and fight side by side! How about this proposal? What do you think?"
The light in Lu Ke's eyes brightened little by little, like a lighthouse on the sea at night, guiding the ships cruising at night to find a clear target and ride the wind and waves!
The road to chasing dreams and the Super Bowl is full of thorns, difficulties and dangers. Even if they try their best, they may not be able to achieve the ultimate goal. But what is certain is that if they work on their own and move forward alone, they are destined to fail. When they reach the finish line, they must unite closely, support each other, support each other, walk side by side, move forward hand in hand, and run towards the finish line together.
Involuntarily, Gene's eyes turned slightly red.
After the National League finals, Candlestick Stadium and the red ocean in San Francisco were spectacular, becoming the most unique and beautiful scenery of the 2011 season. Unfortunately, Gene was not able to participate in it personally; but now, Gene feels that A turbulent and fanatical belief that makes people's blood boil.
Gene laughed exaggeratedly, hiding his embarrassment, and said half-jokingly, "Am I the only one? If so, this boat doesn't look very stable."
"As far as I know now, Logan and Marcus are already on board, Michael and Vernon are also ready, and even Kyle has nodded in agreement. Now you are the only one left, what do you think? "Lu Ke followed Gene's joke and began to count the "crew" in a serious manner.
Gene nodded seriously, slapped his mouth, and then pondered for a moment, "Okay, now the whole thing sounds pretty reliable, then I will reluctantly get on the boat. However, if I am not satisfied later, I retain the right to disembark at any time, you have to know that."
"Shouldn't it be me who says this? If you can't keep up with the progress and fall behind, I will drive you off the ship." Before Lu Ke could say anything, Gene complained loudly. Get up, "Hey! I'm a wounded person! How can you say such a thing? It's not kind!"
"Now that you are aware of this, take a good rest and don't be too anxious. There is an old Chinese saying that haste makes waste." Lu Ke explained in simple English as much as possible, and then saw Ji En had a funny "I don't understand" expression on his face, and the atmosphere instantly became relaxed again.
…
Before lunch, Lu Ke left the hospital and ended his visit. After returning home, he had lunch with Lu Zhengze and Jiang Youning. Then Lu Ke packed his luggage and drove to San Francisco International Airport, preparing to take the evening flight to Hawaii. For the first time in his career, he participated in the hustle and bustle of the Pro Bowl. .
Lu Ke did not go alone. He was accompanied by Logan, Marcus and Willis. In addition, there was also a non-staff member: jj-Watt.
