"This is top-secret stuff, and you really don't want to mess it up," Geep said, locking eyes with Luke and making sure every word hit home. His intense stare left no room for misunderstanding.
All thirty-two teams in the league guard their playbooks like treasure. These playbooks are their secret weapon. On the field, the quarterback has to call out plays, and if the other team figures them out, both offense and defense are toast.
Every year, teams tweak and update their playbooks. Before each game, they adjust their tactical commands. Even old playbooks from past seasons are kept under wraps. Typically, the league's teams hold onto their playbooks for a decade. So, in 2011, the playbooks from 2001 are finally up for grabs.
The hefty stack of playbooks was actually a bunch of smaller booklets, about thirty in total. Luke stuffed them into his backpack, feeling the weight both physically and mentally.
They'd spent four hours in the tactical meeting room, where Geep gave Luke a quick rundown of Jim's tactical system. But the playbook was just the beginning; there was a long road ahead. No wonder everyone says it's tough for rookies to get the hang of the pro game, especially for rookie quarterbacks.
"Bambi! Bambi!"
Geep patted Luke's shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts, and nodded towards the glass door with a grin, "Just joined the team and already making friends. That's a good start."
Following his gaze, Luke saw Logan and Marcus waving like crazy, jumping up and down to get his attention. They definitely succeeded, maybe a bit too well.
It was lunchtime, and the players were bustling around, chatting and laughing as they headed to the cafeteria. Logan and Marcus's antics drew teasing comments from almost everyone passing by, who then looked around to spot Luke.
"Can I pretend I don't know them?" Luke muttered, holding his forehead, realizing it was too late to back out now.
Geep laughed, "Go on, get to know your new teammates. Rookies need to stay busy; you look too idle right now. Maybe after lunch, the rookies will need to help clean up the tables."
"See you later," Luke waved goodbye. Geep suddenly remembered something and called out, "After lunch, there's a tactical meeting for forty-five minutes, then field training."
Luke gave an "OK" gesture to show he got it, quickly left the first-floor lobby, and pushed open the door. For the first time, he saw his teammates at the San Francisco 49ers. Faces, both familiar and new, crowded together, overwhelming him. Even if he wanted to say hi, he didn't know where to start.
At this moment, a breakthrough was needed. It could be a senior player or coach stepping up to make introductions, or a lively, outgoing player breaking the ice.
Then, the breakthrough moment arrived.
"Hey, Luke!" A bright and cheerful voice called out, catching everyone's attention, including Luke's.
It wasn't Logan or Marcus, but a completely unfamiliar face, an Asian guy with short hair, a dark blue shirt, black dress pants, a black briefcase, and a camera hanging around his neck.
A reporter?
Yep, definitely a reporter. For pro players, dealing with reporters is part of the job, as the league requires players to be interviewed after each game, or they get fined. Even the teams have their own media days.
But today wasn't a media day. For this reporter to stroll into the training base so openly, he must have had official permission. So, what was going on?
The Asian reporter quickly approached, smiling broadly, and extended his right hand, "Hello, I'm Jerry Nelson, a reporter from 'Future Vision News.'"
Today was Luke's first day officially joining the pro league. He knew nothing about the team's rules, interview practices, or training day bans. But his four years in college weren't for nothing; he knew one thing:
He was a nobody. Having a reporter visit before lunch on the day he signed was impossible without an official team invite.
"Luke Howard," Luke said politely, shaking the reporter's hand and introducing himself.
At this moment, Jerry couldn't contain his excitement. His face lit up with a radiant smile, and he trembled slightly with enthusiasm, "I can't believe it, you did it, you really did it." Despite trying to hold back, he couldn't help but exclaim, laughing heartily, "Sorry, please forgive my unprofessionalism. But this is just too unreal."
Even though Jerry knew he should stay cool and collected as a reporter, he couldn't help but get caught up in the moment. To be fair, he'd only been on the job for less than a year and still had a lot to learn.
Six months ago, a rookie quarterback from Avalis American had everyone talking during the rookie training camp. But then, he vanished from the news. Now, six months later, this rookie had joined the San Francisco 49ers, making history as the first Asian player in the league.
When "Future Vision News" got the tip, they thought it was a joke. But after confirming with Trent Baalke, the 49ers' general manager, the whole editorial team went nuts.
As immigrants from Avalis American living in the U.S., they knew exactly what this meant. Even if he was just a backup, it was news that could shake the league, especially if he ever got to play.
Jerry was the obvious choice to cover the story, so he rushed over, got into the training base without a hitch, and saw the Avalis American quarterback. Overwhelmed with emotions, Jerry stepped forward and extended his right hand before he even realized it.
Jerry's excitement was contagious, lifting Luke's spirits too. But before Luke could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air, "Everyone, look! We have a superstar rookie here. Let's give a warm welcome to Hannah Montana!"
"Hannah Montana" was a teen idol TV show on Disney Channel, featuring a sixteen-year-old pop star.
Comparing Luke to Hannah was clearly meant to mock him.
Colin raised his hands high, stirring up the crowd, and others joined in, "Hoo hoo hoo," with some even mimicking little girls' screams, "Hannah, Hannah!" The sharp calls triggered a wave of laughter.
"Relax, relax, Lizzie McGuire, don't make such a grim face, your makeup will smudge," Luke shot back, gesturing at his cheeks. His sharp retort got the onlookers whistling and cheering even louder.
Lizzie McGuire was another Disney Channel show from 1999, about an ordinary high school girl.
Colin felt embarrassed, looking around at his jeering teammates. Angrily, he stepped forward, "Hey, Bambi, how do you know about these shows? Are you a loyal fan? Do you sit in front of the TV every week, waiting for your idol to appear?"
Bambi. The same nickname, dripping with sarcasm.
"Bambi, big-eyed Bambi, so lovable," Colin said, stretching his eyes wide to mimic the deer Bambi. His clownish act drew more cheers from the crowd.
Luke, however, stayed calm, slightly raising his chin and loudly saying, "The same way you know about them. Or are you a loyal viewer of Bambi? 'Mom, I love Bambi so much, what will I do when Bambi dies?'" Luke not only didn't get angry but also mimicked Colin's tone, turning the tables on him.
"Colin, Colin, charming prince," someone in the crowd shouted. It was Logan, cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting loudly.
His high-pitched, joyful voice incited another round of jeering from the onlookers, "Charming prince, charming prince."
Colin and Luke had no personal grudge, but they were destined competitors.
In the short term, Colin's starting position wasn't in danger, and the team's resources would revolve around him. But there was only one quarterback position, and the relationship between the starter and the backup meant they had to compete, with only one ultimately standing on the field.
Although Jim had announced Colin as the starting quarterback, to the veteran players, both Colin and Luke were rookies, freshmen. So, if they teased Luke, they naturally had to tease Colin too.
This was the first clash between Colin and Luke.
In terms of wit, Colin was once again at a disadvantage, clearly choosing the wrong battleground. Amidst the jeering, Colin clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, unable to advance but refusing to retreat.
Finally, Luke took the initiative, turning to Jerry and saying, "I'm heading to the cafeteria for lunch now. Do you want to join?" Then, he beckoned to Jerry, along with Logan and Marcus, and headed towards the cafeteria.