Fox commentators Teddy Williams and Kirk Charleston were flipping through the starting players' profiles.
On the TV screen, a short video of the starting players for both teams was playing.
After officially entering the NFL, for ease of broadcasting, every player was required to record a self-introduction in front of a camera. The requirements of different TV stations varied slightly. For example, Fox's version was "Name, Position," while CBS's version was "Name, Position, College." The self-introduction was a video that was less than a second long.
When broadcasting live, the TV station would use these short clips to introduce the starting lineups. Currently, Fox was showing the 49ers' offensive starting lineup. After the first offensive play, or the first pass, or when the defensive team had a brilliant moment, they would then show the Seahawks' defensive starting lineup.
"The 49ers have a very young offensive line. Besides center Jonathan Goodwin, who just came over from the Saints this offseason, the other four players are, at most, fourth-year players. But it's worth noting that this entire offensive line was built and developed by the 49ers through the draft, one by one," Kirk Charleston said. He had just signed a two-year contract with Fox at the beginning of the year, transitioning from radio to TV. This was his first time as a TV commentator, and his extensive knowledge and keen insight allowed him to get into the zone quickly.
Sitting next to him, Teddy Williams, a senior professional commentator for Fox, took over. "But the biggest talking point for the 49ers this year isn't their young offensive line. It's their even younger quarterback, who is also the first Asian quarterback in the history of the league. Kirk, what's your take on this quarterback?"
"Uh..." Kirk was trying to organize his thoughts. He definitely had the right to be the first to speak about Lu Ke, especially since he knew Lu Ke's two college games like the back of his hand. But before he could even start, Kirk noticed the change on the field. In just thirty seconds, Lu Ke had already made his move!
"Let's watch this play first," Kirk began, instinctively commentating in his radio style. "The Seahawks' defense is in a tight zone. The receivers are all covered. The 49ers' rookie quarterback is backpedaling, observing, still observing. The Seahawks' number fifty-six, Leroy Hill, is rushing forward, but he's been blocked and can't make the sack..."
Halfway through his commentary, the director's voice came through his earpiece. "Kirk, just focus on the key points. This is live TV, the audience can see the screen. You can go into detail about the play during the replay."
Kirk instinctively closed his mouth. Then, the experienced Teddy added, "The quarterback is still looking for a receiver. He's still observing... The ball is thrown!" Then he fell silent and joined all the other viewers: watching the live game!
The high, floating arc of the ball tore through the sunlight and the canopy of the sky, gliding through the air with a sharp and beautiful trajectory. The air friction even made a sound, thrilling and soul-stirring!
...
Logan Newman was running as fast as he could. In a hurry, he glanced around and saw that there were no defenders close to him, but he still didn't dare to relax. He kept running, afraid that his feet wouldn't be able to keep up. Speed wasn't his strength, so he couldn't afford to be distracted. He ran until he reached his designated spot, then looked up and back.
Then, Logan saw the football making a rainbow arc. It was reaching its peak. Amidst a curtain of light, it cast a clear shadow and then began to fall quickly. Logan immediately realized he had to speed up again. The throw was slightly longer than he had anticipated.
He sprinted as fast as he could, his blood pumping quickly. In his sight, he could see a defender who had figured out the passing intention and was running toward him. But Logan knew they had started too late, so he wasn't worried at all. He turned his body sideways and continued to run horizontally, raising his hands, and securely catching the football.
The familiar force, the familiar angle, and the familiar position. Everything was just as he was used to. Logan caught the ball effortlessly, but it wasn't over yet!
"Backpedaling, observing, and observing again... The Seahawks' defensive line couldn't get a rush. They've stacked their players in the front of the field... The 49ers' rookie quarterback seems a bit lost. He's still observing. He's taking too long to observe. He should figure out what he wants to do... He's throwing! He's throwing!"
On Fox, Kirk's commentary was cut off by the director, but America was a country on wheels, and every car had a radio. Radio programs still had the widest audience. Without Kirk, there was Troy Bauer, who was passionately commentating.
"It's a rainbow pass! A rainbow pass! The 49ers' rookie number fourteen chose a deep pass for the first throw of his professional career. The arc is high and floating, with a high-speed spiral. It's past the thirty, forty, midfield, forty... Jesus Christ, this is a super long pass! The Seahawks clearly didn't expect this, and the entire backfield is empty..."
Troy's eyes were wide with a mix of disbelief and passion. He was shouting hoarsely, and his frantic voice spread like wildfire through the microphone and airwaves.
"Number eighty-eight, Logan Newman, catches the ball! It's a sixty-six-yard pass, sixty-six yards! After Logan caught the ball, the path ahead of him was completely clear, with no obstacles. Logan sprints at full speed, leaving everyone behind. The Seahawks' safeties and cornerbacks have given up the chase. Even if they chase, it's no use. Logan crosses the end zone, touchdown! There's no doubt, it's a touchdown!"
When the word "touchdown" came out of his mouth, Troy was stunned. His soul began to tremble uncontrollably.
Troy wasn't the only one. Everyone in Candlestick Park, inside and out, was in shock. Their eyes were wide open in disbelief and amazement as they stared at the field. The only thought in their minds was: This must be a dream. This isn't really happening. This is all just a hallucination.
Silence. The entire seventy-thousand-seat Candlestick Park was now silent, with not a single sound. Home fans, away fans, no one was an exception.
"Beep," the referee's whistle blew. He raised his hands high, signaling that the touchdown was successful! The loud and clear whistle sliced through the sky like a soaring eagle.
After the football left his hand, Lu Ke stood still, his eyes fixed on the ball. The entire Seahawks' defense had made the wrong judgment, so no one even came to sack him. Lu Ke could easily and calmly stay where he was and watch the arc of his pass.
Logan caught the ball. Logan ran. Logan scored a touchdown.
Everything that happened after seemed no different from before. He threw, Logan caught. He threw, Logan scored a touchdown.
But today felt a little different. The moment Logan crossed the end zone, Lu Ke clenched his right fist and swung it heavily twice. A roar erupted from the depths of his diaphragm, venting and releasing everything. But it still wasn't enough to express the joy and satisfaction in his heart. So he jumped up, crossed his legs in the air, and swung his right fist back like a piston, pounding it fiercely and forcefully into the sky.
He turned around and roared at the stands, "Ah! Ahhh!"
He didn't say any unnecessary words, but it was as if he was saying: Do you see that? Do you see that! Touchdown! That's a touchdown! Where are all your doubts? Your criticisms? Your laughs?
It wasn't directed at the Seahawks, but at the crowd. More than the Seahawks, the provocations and taunts from the San Francisco 49ers fans were what truly angered Lu Ke. The roar from Lu Ke, the roar from Bambi, released all his emotions in that moment.
The response? Silence. An endless silence. The entire stadium seemed to have fallen asleep, with no extra sound. They couldn't even make a celebratory cheer. Silence was the only response.
In that moment, Lu Ke felt like a Super Saiyan—or perhaps, a Super Bambi. He was filled with a continuous stream of energy.
On the sidelines, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll couldn't help but open his mouth.
As a coach, he had seen countless stunning moments, but at this moment, he had to admit that this was so mind-blowing that his brain couldn't quite process it. It wasn't just about his ability, but also his courage and boldness. This quarterback's debut was truly spectacular.
Pete turned his head and looked at his quarterback coach, Carl, with a playful look.
But Carl didn't have time to respond. His shock and astonishment were ten, a hundred, a thousand times greater than Pete's. He couldn't control his slightly-opened mouth, and his face and eyes were filled with disbelief. How was this possible? This isn't real. This is all just a dream! How could that damned quarterback, that stupid quarterback, that fragile quarterback, be so good? The first pass of his professional career was a long touchdown pass? It was absolutely impossible!
Denial, denial, and more denial. That was the only thing going through Carl's mind at the moment.
Pete pulled his gaze back and quickly calmed down. He knew that the quarterback was just venting the frustration and anger he had been holding in. In competitive sports, that was a completely normal thing to do. But Pete wasn't flustered at all, because the game had just started, and the outcome was still unknown.
He wouldn't regret it, he wouldn't be annoyed, and he wouldn't be scared. Because the victory today would belong to the Seattle Seahawks, and he would prove that their decision was not a mistake.
Lu Ke was just an undrafted rookie!
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