After saying goodbye to Roethlisberger, Lu Ke walked away, looking at the exhausted figures lying on the field, some from the 49ers, some from the Steelers. This intense game was a severe test for both sides. He couldn't help but laugh to himself, then started walking toward the player tunnel.
In his line of sight, Logan, Marcus, and a large group of people were running toward him, their powerful momentum like a herd of galloping horses, completely blocking Lu Ke's path. He had to stop, a helpless smile on his face, looking at his teammates with a questioning gaze, as if to say, "The game is over, what do you guys want?"
His teammates exchanged glances, and a look of disdain appeared on their faces. Then they patted Lu Ke's shoulders heavily, raised their hands, and looked around.
Following their gaze, Lu Ke looked up. The surging red ocean crashed into his vision. The entire world was overwhelmed with red, so vibrant, so wonderful, so passionate, bursting with incredible light and color in the thick night. It was as if the night sky couldn't contain this burning flame, summoning the dawn to return.
A group of fans held up their signs and were going around the stadium, cheering, jumping, and celebrating wildly. The places they passed were like a spark, igniting the red flame. Then, other fans also joined them, jumping, singing, and dancing together, like a carnival.
The shouts, which rose and fell, gradually converged, getting louder, more intense, and more frantic. "Bambi! Bambi! Bambi!"
Shouting, laughing, roaring, swaying, jumping, and dancing. No music was needed because their cheers were the best melody. No drums were needed because their applause was the best beat. No call was needed because this victory was the best party.
Red, a sky full of red, was intoxicating and addicting. In a daze, he recalled the game against the New York Giants. The same red, the same heat, the same brilliance, and the same surge. In this moment, life was more beautiful than ever.
Involuntarily, his nose tingled, and his vision began to blur, which made Lu Ke feel a little embarrassed. He didn't cry when he won the Rose Bowl. He didn't cry when he joined the San Francisco 49ers. He didn't cry when he defeated the New York Giants and avenged the Arizona Cardinals. But at this moment, after winning such a tough and difficult victory, his eyes still felt warm. He loved this stadium so much, he loved these fans so much, and he loved this victory so much.
This was his moment, a real and true moment. He was no longer living a mundane, listless life. He was truly feeling his heart beating strongly in his chest, living in a dream. Every minute and every second was so moving and beautiful. His blood was boiling, his heart was surging. He just completely lost himself in enjoying this red ocean, as if the moment had been frozen in eternity.
Logan, standing beside him, watched the red ocean with his own eyes and saw Lu Ke's teary eyes, and his own eyes couldn't help but get a little wet. As a close friend, Logan knew better than anyone how difficult, how strict, and how hard Lu Ke had it as a Chinese player. This was not just a victory. It was breaking the racial barrier and truly winning a place for himself in this city.
The moment from the second half of the game, "Bambi," appeared in his mind again. It seemed to have become a belief in victory, a belief to overcome difficulties, a belief of resilience, and a belief of being resolute. It guided them step by step toward victory. Even if they failed, they would still grit their teeth and fight to the last moment, refusing to surrender and refusing to be weak and give up.
So, Logan also raised his hands high and started cheering and yelling with the fans. "Bambi!" With every shout, he waved his fist, as if he was holding up the offensive flag, leading the entire team to break through the waves and sail freely toward the stars and the sea.
The other teammates also joined Logan. Marcus, Ginn, Lupati, Williams... one after another, everyone started joining in the commotion, especially after seeing Lu Ke's teary-eyed embarrassment. Everyone became even more excited, and their shouts were more exaggerated than the last.
Lu Ke stood there, laughing loudly. Then he clenched his fists and started shouting to all his teammates, "Playoffs! Playoffs! Playoffs!"
After defeating the Arizona Cardinals last week, the San Francisco 49ers had already secured a spot in the playoffs this season. But that was a road game, and all the cheers and celebrations were left in San Francisco. This week, after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, it meant that after eight years, they would be standing on the playoff field again, and this game was the best statement.
This time, they were not just returning as spectators. Even on the playoff field, they would cause a bloodbath! And they would launch a powerful attack on the Super Bowl!
Immediately, the teammates understood what Lu Ke meant. They all joined Lu Ke's ranks, shouting one after another. Slowly, slowly, the sparks ignited the entire Candlestick Park, bursting with brilliant light, powerfully announcing to the entire league: They were coming for the 2011 playoffs!
"Playoffs! Playoffs! Playoffs!"
The ecstatic, deafening shouts truly pushed the climax of this game to its peak. For Monday Night Football, the game was over. But for Candlestick Park, for San Francisco, for the Bay Area, the party had just begun!
"Ahhh! Playoffs! We're coming!"
"Niners! Niners! Niners! Tonight, we are all Niners! San Francisco is finally back in the playoffs! My God, I want to scream!"
"Can anyone tell me the Facebook or Twitter of that number 14 quarterback? I want to confess my love! He is so handsome! He literally beat the Steelers all by himself! This is insane!"
"The Skywalker is mighty! Everyone, please keep the formation and flood the hashtag! #TheSkywalkerIsMighty#"
"The Skywalker is mighty."
"The Skywalker is mighty."
From a resounding victory on the road to a miraculous comeback at home, the San Francisco 49ers returned to the playoffs with a proud demeanor. What could be more exciting than entering the playoffs this way? Tonight, they truly welcomed their celebration party. You could see people going crazy on the streets and alleys of the entire city.
Even passersby who had no interest in football would clench their fists and excitedly shout, "Playoffs!" when they saw a 49er wearing a red jersey. In this celebration for everyone, every person living in this city was a 49er. They were all sharing this joy and madness.
A sleepless night. This was destined to be a sleepless night!
Raymond Jackson, the stadium manager of Candlestick Park, stood at the entrance of the player tunnel. He proudly puffed out his chest, clenched his fists, and joined the 49ers' celebration. "Playoffs!"
Just shouting this one word made people feel heroic and fearless. Eight years. They had waited for a full eight years and finally returned to this field.
Then, Raymond saw Lu Ke, who was raising his hands and clapping to the audience. In a moment of impulse, with a hot head, he rushed forward and shouted to Lu Ke, "Bambi! Thank you! Thank you!" As he shouted, he didn't even realize that tears were streaming down his face again. He was like a five-year-old boy who had just gotten his beloved toy back, sobbing uncontrollably.
Only true die-hard fans knew what this meant. They had truly waited for so, so long.
Lu Ke stopped for a moment, then laughed brightly. He walked forward and gave the man a big hug. "Thank you. Thank you for letting me play, and thank you for being with me all the way. Thank you!" This was from the bottom of his heart.
Before the regular season started, who would have been willing to let a Chinese quarterback take on the heavy responsibility of being the team's starter? Who would have been willing to let an undrafted rookie be the offensive mind of the team? Who would have been willing to let a nobody carry the future of the team's revival?
No one. Not even San Francisco was willing. But in the end, they still stood behind Lu Ke and walked side by side with him, and even became his strongest support. So, genuinely, Lu Ke had to express his gratitude.
Raymond was now in tears and couldn't say a word. He just kept nodding, nodding repeatedly. Then Lu Ke patted him on the shoulder and laughed loudly. "Let's work hard together in the playoffs this year! Let's fight to the last moment together! How does that sound? I think it's a good deal."
After that, Lu Ke strode into the player tunnel. Raymond clenched his fists tightly and said in a muffled but firm voice, "Deal!"
Standing at the end of the stadium tunnel, the surging reporters were impatiently gathered, anxiously waiting for all the San Francisco 49ers players to arrive. More importantly, they were eagerly waiting for Lu Ke to arrive. Then they saw Lu Ke, who appeared in their sight with long strides. He was still the same familiar figure. He didn't look so tall and strong. His black hair was wet and draped over his head. His youthful baby face was beaming with a brilliant and sunny smile. He could pass for a middle school student, but it was this very figure who had repeatedly created miracles.
Every reporter knew one fact for sure: the Chinese player had truly established a foothold in the league and made a brilliant debut after this game. It wasn't in Week 1 of the regular season, but in Week 15. Lu Ke had finally proven himself on this field!
This was a historical moment.
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