New York New York New York!
New York, the capital of the world!
A unique top metropolis!
Although San Francisco is one of the most prosperous cities in North America, compared with New York, it suddenly pales into insignificance. It is no exaggeration to say that the two cities are not at the same level; of course, even on a global scale New York is also one of the top cities in the world. There is no comparison between the two. This world capital is like a bright pearl, dotted on the Atlantic coastline, blooming with brilliance.
Everyone yearns for big cities. Even when professional teams choose where to build their teams, most of them prefer big cities. This is not without reason.
The last time he visited New York, Lu Ke attended the annual Victoria's Secret catwalk show and officially signed an endorsement contract with Mercedes-Benz, but that was all. Lu Ke didn't have time to wander around slowly and remember. In the fleeting light, there are only some fragmented and graceful night scenes left, but in the end it is impossible to get a glimpse of the true face of the city.
Today, Lu Ke visited New York again, but he still came not for vacation, but for work. However, after work, he finally got some free time and opportunities to measure the city with his own feet, feel the East Coast style that is completely different from the West Coast, and bring back the comfort and relaxation of the offseason. Continue for a short while.
Obviously, as the Super Bowl champion, Lu Ke must make adjustments to his offseason plan this year. First, there are countless commercial promotion activities and championship celebrations. Some can be absent, and some cannot. As the key promotion core of the team and even the league , Lu Ke has enjoyed the rights in the past year, and now he must fulfill his publicity obligations: he is becoming the league's new signature.
Secondly, the Super Bowl winning season is also the season of complete victory. The consumption of physical strength and energy is immeasurable. Everyone on the team needs to relax and rest. Even an iron man like Lu Ke needs to relax a little, otherwise the whole year Endless work will only result in twice the result with half the effort. Sharpening the knife will not waste time chopping wood. The current rest is for a better start in the next offseason.
In the past three weeks, Lu Ke has been busy traveling throughout North America, and New York is the last stop. The busy offseason schedule is finally coming to an end.
In fact, this trip covered the entire East Coast, from Miami to Philadelphia, and then Boston. The day before coming to New York, Lu Ke set off from Washington.
Washington, the capital of the United States, this city with political significance obviously has more connotations waiting to be discovered. Lu Ke was not able to slow down and explore in detail during his visit to Washington because this trip was to San Francisco 49 The most important and most essential stop after winning the championship——
A little reminder: The travelers include the entire San Francisco 49ers team, even the bench players; they also include the core members of the entire coaching staff headed by Jim Harbaugh.
The true face of this trip is that as the annual Super Bowl champions, the San Francisco 49ers were invited by the president to visit the White House collectively and were personally received by President Barack*****, who had just completed his re-election not long ago!
Needless to say, this is a supreme honor!
Every year, the championship teams of the four major North American sports leagues visit the White House. This has become a tradition. This tradition can be traced back to 1924.
Then-President Calvin Coolidge was an avid baseball fan. He invited the then-MLB Washington Senators to visit the White House on September 5th, held a formal meeting, and signed an autograph. The baseball was given to the team's star pitcher Walter Johnson.
Since then, championship teams have accepted invitations to visit the White House one after another.
In the 1980s, under the active promotion of President Ronald Reagan, a former Hollywood actor, it became a routine for championship teams to visit the White House, and this was further extended to NCAA championship teams——
Geno-Auriemma, the passing coach of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team, led the team to win ten NCAA national championship trophies, visited the White House nine times, and experienced three presidents.
Of course, although this is the highest honor, after the White House sends an invitation, the players can still choose whether to go according to their own wishes. Even the team does not make decisions on behalf of the players. In 1991, after Michael Jordan won his first NBA championship, when the Chicago Bulls visited the White House, Jordan did not attend.
However, visiting the White House is a great honor, and most players are willing to go.
After this year's Super Bowl championship was announced, the White House immediately called San Francisco to express congratulations and issued a formal invitation. Obviously, the San Francisco 49ers' success in winning the championship has more profound meanings besides the championship, which is crucial to both the team and the White House.
It was a very interesting experience! This is true even in the century-old history of the four major sports leagues!
In fact, in the 2012 season that just ended, people inside and outside the league rarely mentioned Lu Ke's "Chinese" identity, because Lu Ke has proven his strength through game after game. People The focus has shifted from the outside to the inside, and there is no need for additional embellishments from other factors.
But the visit to the White House was hailed as a historic meeting. Because Lu Ke is the first Chinese-American quarterback to win the Super Bowl in history, and Barack is the first African-American president in the history of the United States. Now, the two history-making figures have officially met in the White House. , the meaning is naturally extraordinary.
This is also one of the important reasons why the White House extended the invitation immediately.
There was also an episode that day.
After the San Francisco 49ers arrived at the White House, they took their seats one by one according to the arrangement, and then the president, who had just officially started his second term at the beginning of the year, officially made his appearance. Before greeting the media, he walked directly in the direction of the San Francisco 49ers. Starting with Jim Harper, he shook hands one by one and expressed his respect and courtesy with the highest treatment.
When Mr. President's footsteps stopped in front of Lu Ke, he did not leave immediately.
"Lu... is my pronunciation correct?" Barack asked with a curious smile.
According to Eastern etiquette, considering that the intonation of Chinese is indeed very difficult, Lu Ke should still politely express some praise; but according to Western etiquette, correcting the other party is a kind of respect, respecting each other and avoiding more misunderstandings in the future.
"Lu. Ke." Lu Ke corrected each word, lowering the pronunciation of the fourth tone.
Barack still maintained the handshake posture and began to correct his pronunciation seriously. After receiving Lu Ke's affirmative reply, he laughed happily, "To show politeness, can I call you Lu? Otherwise, can I call you Lu?" It's so disrespectful to make mistakes every time."
As for nicknames. The President still avoids using it in formal public situations as much as possible.
"Of course, Mr. President." Lu Ke responded politely.
Barack shook Lu Ke's right hand hard, "Congratulations, you have accomplished an unprecedented feat. I mean, you have reached a height that no one else can reach. This must mean something. In addition to respect Other than that, I really can’t find a better word.”
As a well-known speaker, Barack's words were naturally watertight. He did not deliberately mention the precise definition of "feat", but included all situations, and expressed his admiration and admiration in his words in the simplest and most direct way. Also full of sincerity and enthusiasm.
Lu Ke did not respond directly. A dry "thank you" seemed boring here, "Sorry, Mr. President, are you a fan of my mortal enemy in the same district? My teammates are standing next to you, but you are Ignoring them all and praising my contribution alone will cause problems in the locker room when I go back. Even if we want to praise me like this, we'd better choose a more appropriate occasion."
At this time, Logan, Marcus, Moss, Rupati and others standing next to Lu Ke were a little nervous at first, but now they all laughed when Lu Ke teased them like this.
Barack didn't mind, and showed his white teeth, "To be honest, I personally admire Seattle very much, but I will never mention it at this moment." The slightly cunning eyes flashed immediately made his words It became meaningful, and other players around him began to protest.
The atmosphere suddenly became much more lively.
Barack stayed in front of Lu Ke for a little longer, even longer than Hubble. The reporters on the scene noticed such details immediately.
"Bambi Bambi! Hey Bambi!"
"Mr. President, here!"
"Bambi, smile! Smile more!"
"Mr. President, can you move out of the way? We need a group photo, a group photo! You face the camera head-on!"
"Bambi! The camera is here! Here!"
"Mr. President, can the first lady take a photo with her?"
"Bambi! Can you step forward?"
The hustle and bustle is endless.
Standing on the green lawn behind the White House, more than 300 reporters were in front of them. Without exception, they all focused their attention on Lu Ke and Barack. The ubiquitous flashlights were overwhelming, making people feel the pain in every aspect. This "historical meeting" has unparalleled weight.
In fact, it is just a personal greeting from Barack. A special photo session has been set up in the next process. But obviously the reporters can't wait and can't wait to take precious photos of the historical meeting. For Lu Ke and This is a very, very special day for Barack and the White House.
Faced with such a raging craze, Barack also laughed happily, "It seems that some people can't wait now."
