Chapter 740: Exchanging Helmets
"So, after watching this game, how many general managers do you think are going back and re-reading last year's rookie scouting reports?"
In response to Rodgers's meaningful praise and approval, Lu Ke chuckled and said seriously, "I'll keep a good count and see if I can beat the number from 2000."
This was a direct aim at Tom Brady.
Even when facing the most successful elite quarterback of the last decade, Lu Ke showed no fear. Instead, he showed ambition and was eager to take on the challenge. This confidence and determination, still with the unique Eastern characteristic of being humble and reserved, was truly eye-catching.
Rodgers couldn't help but smile and nod slightly. He caught the small humor in Lu Ke's words and continued, "This was a great game today. But don't let it become a habit. The next time we play, it won't be this easy."
"You call today's game easy?" Lu Ke's eyebrows raised slightly. He pursed his lips and slowly nodded, confidently saying, "Then the next time we meet, I will work hard to take away a victory in an even easier way."
"We'll see about that." With a subtle comment, Rodgers also showed a powerful, unchallengeable and unassailable presence. After all, he was one of the league's top quarterbacks, and he had won a Super Bowl. This kind of seasoned depth was something that Lu Ke did not yet have.
The conversation ended there. Neither of them continued to talk. They bumped shoulders again, released their right hands, and turned to walk away.
Before he could take a step, a thought flashed through Lu Ke's mind. He remembered something he had forgotten. He quickly turned around and called out to Rodgers, who was about to leave. "Aaron." He walked up to him and made his request generously. "Can we exchange helmets?"
"What?" Rodgers was full of questions. He hadn't expected this at all.
"Exchange helmets." Lu Ke repeated. "You know, like how they exchange jerseys in a soccer game. Can we exchange helmets? As a souvenir."
Rodgers was slightly stunned. He noticed the sincerity in Lu Ke's eyes and understood. He looked down at the number 12 helmet in his hand and finally handed it over, exchanging it with Lu Ke's. He couldn't resist his curiosity and asked, "So, are you going to exchange them after every game?"
"Important games. Memorable games. Special games." Lu Ke gave a big smile. "Maybe after my career ends, I can hold a helmet exhibition to record every memorable game. And I can also sell tickets to avoid being poor after retirement."
That self-deprecating humor made Rodgers smile again. "Next time you lose a game, be sure to come and exchange helmets with me." After saying that, Rodgers turned around and walked away.
Actually, the idea had just come to Lu Ke in a flash.
This was only the second time he had exchanged helmets.
The first time was in the Divisional Round last season. After a tough victory over the New Orleans Saints, when Lu Ke shook hands with Drew Brees after the game, driven by excitement and euphoria, he impulsively made the request. He had no plan in mind at all.
It was the same today. After the fierce and thrilling game, he simply wanted to have a special way to remember and commemorate those special games. But after the words came out of his mouth, Lu Ke thought it was a good idea, and he could actually implement it in the future.
Thinking about it, after losing the NFC Championship last year, Lu Ke was so consumed by disappointment and frustration that he completely forgot the idea of exchanging helmets with Eli Manning. This became a regret. Even if he could exchange helmets in the future, it would no longer be from that specific game.
However, it was not too late to start this plan now.
After exchanging helmets, Lu Ke joined his teammates and left the field, walking toward the long-awaited reporters. Post-game interviews were always an unavoidable part of the process.
For reporters, what could be more exciting than a brilliant matchup? Not only because the two teams were the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, but also because both quarterbacks gave a top-level performance, fighting until the last minute to decide the winner.
After the game, Lu Ke's and Rodgers's stats immediately became a hot topic.
Aaron Rodgers: 32 completions out of 45 passes, 415 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, a quarterback rating of 120.2, and a PFF grade of 1.7.
Lu Ke: 26 completions out of 35 passes, 298 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, a quarterback rating of 125.7, and a PFF grade of 1.8.
Whether it was from the game process or the stats, it was a very close game. The performances of Lu Ke and Rodgers were also comparable. The final result was a matter of inches. A small deviation in details and a little bit of luck were reflected in this narrow three-point victory.
Following Drew Brees last season, Lu Ke's battle with a second elite quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, resulted in another hard-fought victory. For reporters, this was still news.
It wasn't just "fresh" news but "explosive" news. Obviously, this game was full of countless highlights and hot topics worth exploring. The excitement was no less than the game itself, which was enough for them to wait eagerly for Lu Ke after the game.
Randy Moss left the field and walked toward the locker room. He heard a burst of cheerful laughter and could easily see Lu Ke, who was surrounded by a crowd.
He held the Packers' number 12 helmet in his hand, standing relaxed and at ease, accepting the interview with confidence. His conversation was light and cheerful. He didn't seem like a second-year player or an Asian player. But this shouldn't be a surprise since, before him, there had never been a player like this in the NFL.
"...It was a great game. We gave it our all and fought to the end. But without a doubt, the Green Bay Packers are a very, very good team. To be able to take a victory away, we had a little bit of luck. Thanks to my teammates, we are all in the same boat now. This is good news."
The breeze carried Lu Ke's answer. A faint smile was on his face as he answered the reporters' difficult questions with ease.
"Moss! Moss!"
Someone in the crowd of reporters spotted Moss's figure and immediately shouted excitedly, waving their arms to attract Moss's attention and start an interview.
As Moss walked closer, the reporters' questions came in a rush. "What do you think of today's game?" "Do you think your playing time was appropriate?" "What is your game condition like?" "How does it feel to be back?"
All the spectators and reporters had noticed the small conflict between Lu Ke and Moss in the first quarter. Although it didn't trigger a series of chain reactions, the reporters couldn't help but speculate.
In the second half, Moss finally got on the field as a third-down rotational wide receiver. However, the 49ers' overall offense was very smooth, so there were not many third-down opportunities. The connection between Lu Ke and Moss was even less. There was not much information to be seen at the moment.
Moss's footsteps got closer and closer, but he didn't stop. He walked past the reporters, passing through the crowd calmly and peacefully, and continued toward the locker room, completely ignoring all the shouts and questions. He left behind a cold silhouette and eventually disappeared behind the locker room door.
At this, the reporters became boisterous. All the questions they swarmed Lu Ke with were based on speculation. Everyone was speculating about the discord between Lu Ke and Moss.
Lu Ke, with a calm expression, shrugged his shoulders and answered without any panic. "Randy and I have only known each other for less than four months. I won't use any exaggerated adjectives to describe our relationship, but what is certain is that we are on the way to becoming teammates. I think we need a few more games and some training sessions to build more chemistry."
Although the reporters would not buy into this official statement, Lu Ke was not giving them any leverage. He answered a few more questions and then turned around, ending the post-game interview and walking toward the locker room.
Randy Moss was part of the team, and he was part of the offense.
As a top-tier wide receiver in the history books, he may have passed his prime, but Moss's experience, talent, and ability were invaluable and irreplaceable. This was especially precious for the young 49ers offense, like a rich treasure trove waiting to be discovered.
Perhaps the experienced Moss was the missing puzzle piece that the 49ers lacked last season. Or maybe not. Only after trying and working hard would they know.
Harbaugh hoped that Moss could be an important addition to the offense. Lu Ke also agreed and fully supported it.
But apparently, during the offseason, the two had not been able to find the right way to cooperate. In the first regular season game, they had not been able to find a reasonable rhythm. There had even been a conflict between them, which was not a good start.
The first game ended with a victory, but there was still a long season ahead.
Lu Ke sincerely hoped that Moss could become a part of the offense. As the captain of the offense, he should be the one to extend the olive branch. He should be the one to make more attempts and efforts. What's more, his anger and impatience on the field today were clearly not the right way to handle things.
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