"Frankly, I've never thought about breaking any records. I'm serious," Lu Ke said, as the commotion from the reporters finally died down and the free-for-all interview turned into a one-on-one session. "For me, my focus is on giving my all, without distraction, to the training and games each week and proving that I'm a qualified starting quarterback. That's my main priority in life."
Lu Ke paused slightly, his eyes scanning the reporters' faces before a big smile appeared on his face as he asked, "Isn't it?"
Jay Fox, standing in the crowd, couldn't help but let out a little chuckle.
Ever since he took over as the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted Chinese-American rookie, the media had been full of questions, ridicule, and sarcasm. Even after he threw for five touchdowns in his first game and started the season with three wins, the media's tone was still filled with doubt and mockery. No one was willing to believe that this undrafted rookie could find his footing in the league, and many questioned Lu Ke's position as a starter.
This continued until Week 6 of the regular season when the 49ers defeated the Detroit Lions on the road. With an impressive performance, they won that battle, and the media finally realized this wasn't a fluke or a joke. This rookie quarterback was showing an unprecedented amount of energy and was becoming a dark horse that everyone needed to pay attention to.
Regardless of how genuine this dark horse was or how long its stamina would last, as long as the wins kept coming, people were bound to take Lu Ke seriously. Putting aside his race and his rookie status, they began to treat Lu Ke as he deserved to be treated, which was as a team with a 7-1 record.
Last week, he silently broke a league record that had stood for 13 years and completely changed the stereotype of rookie quarterbacks that had existed for 40 years. Now, in the eyes of the media, experts, the league, and the fans, Lu Ke's significance is completely different. People don't have to like Lu Ke; after all, he's not a banknote. But no one can deny that Lu Ke is becoming a phenomenon in the league with his performance. So, today's frenzy happened.
It wasn't just the excitement of watching a spectacle or the curiosity of a newsworthy event. The reporters' attitudes, treatment, gaze, and tone had completely changed. But Lu Ke's one question instantly exposed their true intentions. Jay Fox's laughter in the awkward silence was particularly jarring, reminding everyone present of the deeper meaning behind Lu Ke's rhetorical question.
However, the reporters were all veterans with thick skin. They all pretended not to understand Lu Ke's subtext, looking at him with sincere and earnest expressions, as if listening intently. So, Jay pursed his lips, stopped laughing, and seized the opportunity to ask, "So, now that you've broken the record, how does it feel?"
"It feels great." Lu Ke's short and powerful answer, combined with his sincere and confident tone, created a quick and witty moment. A sense of humor filled the air, and all the reporters chuckled. Indeed, after breaking a record, it naturally feels great. What else could it be?
"After breaking Peyton Manning's record, do you have the confidence to break Tom Brady's single-season record of 50 touchdowns?"
Another reporter's voice suddenly cut in. Looking over, it was Harry Waynes from "Sports Illustrated." A smile was on his face, but the provocation and taunt in his eyes were not hidden at all. Lu Ke and Harry were not close friends, and their interactions were limited to various press conferences. So, he didn't know what kind of person Harry was, but he knew what kind of reporter he was. Harry would do anything for a story; his priorities were making a profit and entertaining to the death.
Harry wasn't targeting anyone, but rather any potential news headline. To create a hot topic, he would deliberately provoke his interviewees. If the interviewee swore or even got physical, his goal was achieved. He could then act as the victim and expose the interviewee's "bad behavior," further escalating the topic. For Harry, people and things only fell into two categories: newsworthy and not newsworthy. Everything else was just a factor in those two categories.
Currently, Lu Ke is a hot topic in the league, and Harry was not going to let him go easily. He was trying every possible way to create a controversy. He didn't even hide the taunt in his eyes, showing contempt and ridicule, which was clearly meant to anger Lu Ke.
Rookie players are often young, impulsive, and hot-headed, and they often make mistakes. Lu Ke is a young man who just left college, but he is also a former intern reporter who knows all the tricks of the trade.
"No, I don't," Lu Ke replied simply and clearly, without any hesitation or explanation. This wasn't just to deal with Harry; it was also the truth. For Lu Ke right now, breaking records is too far in the future. He has to stay grounded and focus on each game, step by step. Compared to any season record, the playoffs are his goal. So, Lu Ke had never thought about breaking Brady's record, and Big Manning's record was just a pleasant surprise.
His blunt answer left Harry speechless. Harry had prepared for all kinds of possible answers, but he never expected Lu Ke to choose the most unlikely one. This was a difficult interviewee. Harry's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't panic. In a flash, he threw out a second question.
"You've mentioned in a previous interview that Peyton Manning is your idol. So, this week, playing against Eli Manning, what are your thoughts?"
This was a standard question, and it was expected. Lu Ke was slightly surprised that Harry would ask such a normal question. The other reporters didn't interrupt Harry because they all wanted to know the answer. Without thinking too much, Lu Ke answered honestly and sincerely, "Excited. Although I knew that this day would come sooner or later after joining the league, I still can't control my excitement about being on the field as a starting quarterback and playing in the game."
"But your opponent isn't Peyton; it's Eli. What do you think about Eli Manning as a quarterback? What level do you think he's at compared to Peyton?"
As expected, the previous question was just a setup. The real trap was here, waiting for Lu Ke to fall into it. This was an undoubtedly tricky question, a difficult one for any interviewee. If it were a commentator, a pundit, or a third party, they could express their opinions confidently or subjectively, but Lu Ke couldn't. Not only had Lu Ke always said Peyton Manning was his idol, but he was also about to face Eli Manning next week. The slightest misstep would become a tool for the media to create sensational stories. Lu Ke didn't mind his words being used as a medium for hype, but he did mind being outmaneuvered by a reporter and becoming a puppet on a string.
He was the one who was in control.
"He's a better quarterback than I am." Lu Ke's answer wasn't perfect, but it cleverly changed the subject. The more interesting part came next. "We're not just talking about one Super Bowl, but a quarterback who has proven himself in the league. I'm sure no one would ask Eli the same question."
The subtext was... this question is too stupid, which is why no one would ask Eli. Or perhaps Lu Ke is a lightweight, and reporters assume he's not smart enough to avoid being provoked? Or maybe reporters think Lu Ke is foolish enough to say something outrageous? Lu Ke had no intention of explaining the real subtext, leaving it for the reporters to ponder.
"At least, I hope not." Lu Ke added another jab, implying that if reporters did ask Eli a similar question, it would mean their level was too low and they were so desperate for a headline that they would throw their professional integrity out the window.
Wait, were all these so-called implications just the reporters' own wild fantasies? The reporters looked at Lu Ke and saw a playful, half-smile on the young man's face, as if it contained a hint of mockery. Harry gritted his teeth, swallowing his feelings of humiliation and a metallic taste in his mouth. Then he asked again, "So, what's your goal for this game? To win?"
"Ha." Lu Ke chuckled. "I don't think any team in the league goes onto the field hoping to lose. If there were, the disciplinary committee should investigate it thoroughly." That would probably mean they were involved in gambling.
His sarcastic remark was like a slap in Harry's face, leaving it stinging.
"Of course, we want to win, and we'll do our best to achieve that goal," Lu Ke added, giving an affirmative answer. "As for whether we get what we want, obviously, it's not up to me alone to decide." Lu Ke said this with an innocent shrug, his expression completely sincere. Instantly, all the reporters burst out laughing. It was a combination of sarcasm, humor, and wit, and most importantly, Lu Ke had roasted Harry. Even his colleagues couldn't help but laugh.
Standing still, Harry clenched his fists. His arms began to tremble slightly as he stared at Lu Ke. From today on, this rookie quarterback had truly entered his radar.
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