Logan and Marcus were so serious that they couldn't hide their comical nature, but they quickly realized something was wrong:
Both Lu Ke and the reporters had strange, half-smiling expressions on their faces. Logan was the first to react, asking with hesitation, "Did we interrupt an important question? Like, Bambi's... private life or something?"
Logan had intended to ease the atmosphere and tease Lu Ke a little.
But Lu Ke just smiled and replied, "Since you know, why are you still here? Are you curious too?"
Marcus tried to hold it in, but he couldn't, and he burst out laughing. The reporters all laughed as well. Logan had a speechless expression on his face. He clenched his fist, waved it at Lu Ke twice, then turned around and left with big strides, adding, "Marcus, are you saying you're curious now?"
Marcus's smile froze at the corners of his mouth. He stuck his neck out and yelled, "Hey, who said that? It was you!" As he spoke, he chased after Logan, a short stop before disappearing.
A chorus of jeers came from not too far away, "Bambi! Hoo hoo, Bambi!" Logan and Marcus joined in the cheering. David Akers, who had just made the game-winning extra point, also ran past the channel between Lu Ke and the reporters, shouting excitedly, "Bambi, Bambi!"
One victory was all it took. The conflicts and disagreements in the locker room were put aside, at least for now, at least for this moment. Competitive sports could be very complicated, but they could also be very simple.
All the reporters present could feel that this rookie quarterback was quietly integrating into the locker room. It was not a lot, but it was a start.
"Excuse me, why is your nickname Bambi?" a reporter asked loudly, raising his hand high.
Following the voice, Lu Ke saw a familiar face, Jay Fox.
His former roommate, his college classmate. After graduation, they went their separate ways and took completely different career paths. Lu Ke hadn't heard from Jay in a long time. After the regular season began, everything started to speed up. Every minute and every second of his life was packed. He didn't even have time to look for an apartment, so he had been living at home.
He hadn't expected to meet Jay again in such a setting, and in such a surprising way. Being here meant that Jay not only found a job but was also trusted.
The smile on the corner of Lu Ke's mouth paused for a moment and then grew. "Because my last name, Lu, is a homophone for 'deer' in Chinese. So, my childhood friends gave me this nickname."
Jay still had a serious expression, as if this were the first time he and Lu Ke had met, but the amusement in his eyes revealed his playful nature. "Bambi, isn't that a bit of an unsuitable nickname for the football field? It's like a little deer walking into a pack of wolves, literally."
"And you're a reporter for...?"
"Jay Fox."
"Jay, what media outlet are you with?"
"The 'Los Angeles Times'."
"Wow, Jay Fox from the 'Los Angeles Times'." The back-and-forth exchange was ordinary but filled with a relaxed vibe due to their tone and expressions. "Don't you think this might be the best reflection of reality? A Chinese-American player who has broken into the football world. To be honest, my parents' immigrant friends still can't understand my choice."
Little Bambi, lost in a vast forest and surrounded by wolves and lions, was an underdog. It was like a Chinese-American player joining the professional football league and becoming a unique presence on the field.
A reporter in the audience immediately whistled, nodding in agreement. The description was so fitting and vivid that it was brilliant.
"Bambi, no, I mean, Lu Ke," a reporter blurted out. The nickname "Bambi" was very catchy. The animated film of Little Bambi was a household name in America and a childhood memory for everyone. After saying it out loud, the reporters all let out good-natured laughter.
After getting Lu Ke's permission, the reporter continued to ask, "Before this week's game, Charles Davis said on a show that if you could win again this week, he would swallow his microphone. Do you have any comments on that?"
"First, I don't know who this Charles Davis is. Second, I hope it's a chocolate microphone." Lu Ke's answer was concise and rich with humor. All the reporters burst out laughing, and the atmosphere was lively.
Kip Crist came over again to interrupt the reporters' interview. In just two weeks, Lu Ke had become a media darling. This rookie quarterback had so much focus and so many topics surrounding him that he was a goldmine for reporters.
But someone in the crowd, before Kip could speak, quickly asked, "You don't know who Charles Davis is?" It was as if he didn't know Richard Sherman last week. "He's a commentator on ESPN's 'Inside the League' show. He's always said you're not a good enough quarterback and don't belong on the field. He also doesn't think you can lead your team to victory."
"Guys, guys, the players need to go back to the locker room to change," Kip interrupted the reporter's question. "After a tough game, Lu Ke needs to rest."
However, the reporters didn't give up. They pleaded with Lu Ke, their eyes full of anticipation. Lu Ke couldn't help but laugh and replied, "Please forgive me. I'm in a pack of wolves right now, and there are so many haters. I don't have time to read all the criticism, or I won't have time to practice."
After saying that, Lu Ke didn't stay any longer and turned to leave with Kip.
Charles Davis. This time, Lu Ke wasn't being sarcastic or ironic. He really hadn't heard of the name. In the past two weeks, there had been countless criticisms and negative comments. Lu Ke had no interest or intention of reading them all, so he naturally wouldn't pay attention to the name of any one critic.
But today, Lu Ke heard it for the first time. It was clear that since the reporter brought him up specifically, this Charles was no small fry.
However, "Mr. Charles Davis" would have to wait for now, because today belonged to victory.
As Lu Ke entered the locker room, Michael Crabtree was the first to rush over, bumping hard against Lu Ke's shoulder, his face full of excitement and joy. "You're crazy, you're a real lunatic!" That last pass was so bold, so insane, so... imaginative. It truly showed the charm of a quarterback.
In today's game, the three touchdowns were scored by three different players: Logan Newman, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree. The offense was in a desperate situation, but it also opened up opportunities.
As the one who executed "The Catch," Crabtree and Lu Ke made history together, truly leaving their names in the history of the San Francisco 49ers.
Crabtree was naturally overjoyed and couldn't contain himself, using all his strength to express his happiness and joy. At this moment, the players' seniority and differences all disappeared. They had a common name: teammates.
"Thanks," Lu Ke said, accepting the praise with a smile. He bumped Crabtree's shoulder hard. "And thanks for making the catch."
In the corner of his eye, he could see Vernon Davis standing not too far away. His gaze and Lu Ke's met. His expression was complex, his eyes were obscure, and he seemed to have something to say, but in the end, he didn't. He looked away and joined the other players' celebration party.
In the locker room, everyone was cheering and dancing. At the same time, the celebration was also underway at Candlestick Park.
Chris Wilson was still yelling, even though his throat was dry and his voice was hoarse. He had almost completely lost his voice, but he was still yelling. Every cell in his body was screaming at the top of its lungs.
Victory made people happy. A comeback victory made people excited. And a comeback victory against a rival made people crazy!
"Bambi!" Chris heard the shout. He didn't know what it meant, but he didn't care, and he started yelling along, "Bambi!"
After the shouting started, other fans around him gradually joined in. The chant got louder and more intense. "Bambi! Bambi!" It wasn't a unified chant but an all-over-the-place one, like a pop concert. Everyone was moving to their own beat, humming their own tune, and immersing themselves in their own world, enjoying it to the fullest.
Chris leaned in and laughed. "Why are we shouting Bambi? Does it mean anything?"
"Because the 49ers' number 14's nickname is Bambi!" In the midst of the deafening noise, the person next to him had to lean close to Chris's ear and shout, "You know, at the Rose Bowl at the beginning of this year, the team was losing, and during the two-minute official timeout, all the fans in the stadium shouted 'Bambi' in unison, hoping he could get on the field and lead the team to victory."
"And then?" Chris asked.
"He succeeded." The person's simple answer made Chris raise his arms high and cheer loudly, "Bambi!"
Immediately, a large circle of fans nearby cheered in unison, "Bambi!"
Chris jumped up and down happily. "I'm Chris Wilson, a die-hard 49ers fan."
"I'm Jeff Locke, and these are my friends, Nate Chandler and Danny Reese. We're all die-hard Bambi fans." The young man in front of him introduced himself accordingly.
Chris extended his right hand and shook hands with each of them. "Nice to meet you. From today on, I'm also a firm supporter of Bambi! I'm about to go to a bar to have a drink and celebrate. What do you say, want to come along?"
"Of course!"
In Candlestick Park, the noise was deafening, and no one was in a hurry to leave. At least half of the 50,000 fans were still in the stands, singing songs, cheering for the victory, and shouting in celebration. The game was over, and the party had begun.
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