"Lu Ke, what exactly happened with that run in the first half? The Buccaneers' defensive line had you surrounded. How did you break out in the end?"

Amidst the clamor, a question with a tone of inquiry was raised. In an instant, all eyes were fixed on Lu Ke, curious and expectant. The pressing gazes made Lu Ke a little flustered. He instinctively raised his right hand to scratch his head, revealing a confused expression. He sighed, "Oh, that question really stumps me."

After saying that, Lu Ke chuckled to himself, and the journalists also couldn't help but laugh. "I mean, I was surrounded, and the only thought in my mind was not to fumble the ball. Then I tried to break free from the tackle, and... and then I crawled out of the encirclement. Wait, why do I feel like I'm describing a gopher?"

All the journalists burst into laughter. Even the teammates standing not far away joined in the fun, "Aren't you?"

"Get lost." Lu Ke gave the group of troublemakers the middle finger, but he couldn't stop his own smile. "I mean, it was a very chaotic situation. The offensive line and the defensive line had all lost their balance, and the tackles weren't very solid. After I unexpectedly escaped, I saw an opening, and then I ran with the ball."

"Lu Ke, did you know that your single run gained more yards than the three Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs combined? What do you think about that?"

"Ouch?" A simple response, with no extra explanation or words. The ending of the interjection was also a slight upward inflection, with a hint of confused questioning. Everyone at the scene burst into laughter again.

After the laughter gradually subsided, the journalists' questions didn't immediately follow. Lu Ke glanced at the journalists in front of him and gave them a questioning look. "Are there no other questions? Then I'll head back to the locker room..." Before he could finish his sentence, wet drops of water fell on his head, as if the ceiling was leaking.

He looked up and saw an orange Gatorade energy drink pouring down like a waterfall.

There was no time to dodge or resist. Lu Ke could only close his eyes and enjoy this moment of "Gatorade shower."

This was a tradition on the NFL field, which first appeared during a Thanksgiving game broadcast. Every year, the NFL would schedule a game on Thanksgiving and Christmas, under the names of "Thanksgiving Classic" and "Christmas Classic," to provide a wonderful game for families to gather and watch. Any team that could make it to such a broadcast stage must be a popular team or involved in an exciting matchup. It was a stage second only to the Super Bowl.

So, the winning teams continued this tradition, lifting the official sponsor's Gatorade cooler and pouring it over the head of the game's hero. It could be the head coach, the quarterback, or a hero from the defense. The person chosen was not only the hero of the victory but also a well-loved and respected person on the team.

Later, this tradition gradually became popular. After important games, players would lift the Gatorade cooler and celebrate.

Today, it was just a regular season game, and not even a regular season game that would affect their playoff spot. It was just one of the games in the first half of the season. But who would have thought that Lu Ke would get a "Gatorade shower"? Was this a pleasant surprise?

Logan Newman, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, and Ted Ginn Jr., the four of them, led and executed this prank. The other players on the team all started to join in the fun, with whistles and laughter, creating a lively atmosphere. Even the journalists all smiled. The atmosphere was incredibly cheerful.

Splash! It only took a moment, like a torrential downpour, and it all came pouring down. Lu Ke was instantly soaked inside and out. The sticky energy drink seeped down his back and into his pants. His entire face was stained orange, as if he had eaten too many oranges.

"Tell me, who accidentally knocked the ice bucket into the drink cooler?" Lu Ke didn't turn around or look back. He spoke calmly.

The Gatorade shower wasn't the problem. The problem was that the drink was mixed with a large amount of ice cubes, which came crashing down on his head, making his head, cheeks, shoulders, and other parts ache slightly.

Although his tone was calm, the eerie feeling hidden within it made people's spines feel cold.

Logan, who knew Lu Ke the best, was the first to slip away, turning around and quickly running back to the locker room. Crabtree and Ginn were also smart guys. Their ability to read people was very strong, and they also fled in a panic, escaping the scene of the crime amidst a burst of laughter.

So, Iupati stood there alone, looking a little silly. He blinked. "Bambi, are you okay? Do you need a towel?"

"I already have one," Lu Ke raised his right hand, showing the towel in his hand that was one-third wet, and then said calmly, "Mike, I think you should leave now, or I'm not sure what might happen."

Iupati was confused and mumbled, "Oh." Then he realized, and nodded repeatedly, "Oh, oh." He turned to walk a few steps, but then stopped again. "Bambi, are you sure?"

"Run, run, Forrest, run!" Aldon Smith, who was standing nearby being interviewed, also came over to join the fun and shouted loudly. Then Iupati nodded and quickly turned to leave. The other 49ers players all laughed their heads off, their stomachs aching from laughter.

Lu Ke held up the towel and slowly wiped the Gatorade from his eyes. He opened his eyes and smiled at the journalists in front of him. "Where were we?"

Even Harry Wayans, even the most slow-witted journalist, could feel the joyful atmosphere in the San Francisco 49ers' locker room at this moment.

Victory can solve all problems. On the field of competitive sports, this is an eternal law. Although Lu Ke was a rookie, the team was now on the fast track to victory, and other problems were no longer problems. This was also true for the journalists.

"Lu Ke, among this year's rookie class, you and J.J. Watt are friends, is that true? In the past few weeks, Watt's performance with the Houston Texans has also been brilliant. Have you two exchanged opinions and ideas?"

Compared to the previous few weeks, the journalists' questions and content were also subtly changing. Questions about his Chinese heritage were disappearing, and questions about him being undrafted were also decreasing. More and more, people were starting to pay attention to Lu Ke's performance on the field and his future development in the league as a rookie.

Although this change was subtle, it clearly proved that with five weeks of regular season performance, Lu Ke was proving himself step by step with his strength. After today's big victory, the atmosphere of the entire interview was harmonious and cheerful—perhaps Harry was the only exception.

Among this year's rookie class, Lu Ke on offense and Watt on defense were hailed as the shining twin stars. With their excellent performances, they both established themselves on their respective teams and became crucial to their teams' victories. So, when rumors came out from within the league that Lu Ke and Watt were good friends during the rookie training camp, the journalists became excited.

"Occasionally, we occasionally send emails and messages." The journalist was talking about J.J. Watt. In the rookie training camp, Lu Ke didn't make many friends. Aldon was one, and Watt was another. "I know J.J.'s performance has been excellent. Unfortunately, we probably won't have a chance to play against each other face-to-face this year. When we were in the rookie training camp, I had a chance to experience his strength. I'm also very curious about who would have the upper hand if we were to play against each other now."

The Houston Texans are an AFC team. The San Francisco 49ers don't have a game against them this year, and they won't meet in the playoffs either.

"Maybe the Super Bowl?" a journalist boldly suggested this hypothetical situation, which was the only possibility for the two of them to meet this season.

Lu Ke laughed happily. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's take things one step at a time."

"What about Cam Newton?" Suddenly, Harry's sharp and piercing voice sounded again.

"What?" Lu Ke frowned slightly. For several weeks, he hadn't heard that name. After all, the 49ers and the Panthers didn't have a chance to play against each other this year, at least not in the regular season, so people gradually stopped paying attention.

"Cam Newton, this year's first overall pick. Just now, they lost their fourth game in the past five weeks of the regular season. For two consecutive weeks, Newton's performance has been in a slump. He hasn't scored a passing touchdown, and his rushing offense has also been contained. His quarterback rating is also quite bad. It seems he's in some trouble," Harry's seemingly calm tone was filled with a sharp edge. "Are you two friends?"

"I didn't ask for his number in a bar, if that's what you mean," Lu Ke responded with a different kind of joke to Harry's veiled words and aggressive questioning. Asking for a number in a bar is flirting.

With a small joke, the tense atmosphere instantly relaxed again. Lu Ke's eyes, however, were locked on Harry, not blinking.

He didn't speak or talk, but his firm and unwavering gaze clearly expressed Lu Ke's persistence and stance. Finally, Lu Ke showed a polite smile. "I think I should end the interview now. First, I need to find the culprit and make them truly regret their prank. Second, I need to take care of myself in the shower. I feel like my hair is all sticky and knotted up now. I hope I can save it before it's too late."

Once again, Lu Ke's words caused a burst of laughter, but there was one exception: Harry Wayans.

Harry watched Lu Ke's retreating figure, his eyes filled with a meaningful and playful look.

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