The commentators from Fox Broadcasting Company, Teddy Williams and Kirk Charleston, were checking out the profiles of the starting players.
On TV, clips of the starting players from both teams were rolling.
After joining the NFL, every player had to record a quick self-introduction for the broadcasts. Different networks had their own styles. Fox wanted "Name, position," while CBS went with "Name, position, college." These intros were super short, like less than a second.
During live games, the TV station would show these clips to introduce the starting lineup. Right now, Fox was showing the offensive lineup for the San Francisco 49ers. After the first offensive play or a standout defensive play, they'd switch to the Seattle Seahawks' defensive lineup.
"The 49ers have a really young offensive line. Except for center Jonathan Goodwin, who just came over from the Saints this offseason, the other four guys are pretty green, with the most experienced being only in his fourth year. But it's cool that the 49ers built this line entirely through the draft," Kirk Charleston said.
Kirk had just signed a two-year deal with Fox at the start of the year, moving from radio to TV. This was his first game as a TV commentator, and his deep knowledge and sharp instincts helped him get into the swing of things quickly.
Next to him was Teddy Williams, a seasoned pro commentator for Fox. He jumped in, "But the big story for the 49ers this year isn't the young offensive line, it's their even younger quarterback, who's the first Asian-American QB in the league's history. Kirk, what do you think about this quarterback?"
Kirk was gathering his thoughts. He definitely had a lot to say about Luke, especially since he knew the only two college games Luke played really well. But before he could start, he noticed something happening on the field. In just thirty seconds, Luke was already making a move!
"Let's check out this offensive play first," Kirk instinctively started commentating like he was on the radio. "Snap, the Seahawks' defense is tight, all the passing targets are covered, the 49ers' rookie QB is stepping back, looking, still looking. The Seahawks' number 56, Leroy Hill, is blitzing, but he's blocked, no sack..."
Mid-commentary, the director's voice came through Kirk's earpiece, "Kirk, focus on the key points, this is TV, the audience can see the screen. Explain the tactics during the replay."
Kirk quickly shut his mouth, and the experienced Teddy added, "The quarterback is still looking for a receiver, he's still looking, the ball is thrown!" Then he went silent, watching the live action with the audience.
The high, floating pass cut through the sunlight and sky, gliding sharply and gracefully, the rushing air even making a sound, thrilling and exciting!
Logan Newman was sprinting with all he had. In a quick glance, he saw no defenders nearby, but he didn't dare relax. Running, still running, worried his steps couldn't keep up with his speed. Speed wasn't his strong suit, so he couldn't afford any distractions. He ran to the spot, then looked up and turned his head to the sky.
Logan saw the football drawing a rainbow arc, reaching its peak, casting a clear shadow, and then quickly falling. Logan knew he needed to speed up; the pass was a bit farther than expected.
Sprinting, sprinting all the way, Logan pushed his speed to the max, his blood pumping. He saw in his peripheral vision that a defender had read the pass and was closing in. But Logan knew they were too late, so he wasn't worried. He turned, ran sideways, raised his hands, and caught the football securely.
The familiar force, the familiar angle, the familiar position, everything was familiar. Logan made the catch effortlessly, but it wasn't over yet!
"Stepping back, looking, still looking, the Seahawks' defensive line couldn't blitz, heavily guarding the short pass area. The 49ers' rookie QB seems a bit unsure, he's still looking, looking too long, he should know what he wants to do... the pass! The pass!"
At Fox Broadcasting Company, Kirk's commentary got cut off by the director, but hey, America is all about cars, and every car's got a radio. Radio shows still have the biggest audience. Even without Kirk, there was Troy Bauer, who was going all out on the airwaves.
"It's a rainbow pass! A rainbow pass! The 49ers' rookie number fourteen's first career pass is a long one, a high and floating arc, spinning like crazy, over thirty yards, forty yards, midfield, forty yards... Holy cow, it's a monster pass, the Seahawks didn't see this coming, the whole backfield is wide open!"
Troy's eyes were wide, filled with disbelief and excitement, shouting at the top of his lungs. His passionate voice spread like wildfire through the mic and the airwaves.
"Number eighty-eight, Logan Newman, caught the ball! It's a sixty-five-yard pass, sixty-five yards! After catching it, Logan's got a clear path, no one's in his way, he's sprinting like mad, leaving everyone behind, the Seahawks' safeties and cornerbacks have given up, even if they tried, it wouldn't matter. Logan crosses the end zone, touchdown, no doubt, touchdown!"
When Troy said "touchdown," he stood there in shock, his soul trembling with excitement.
Troy wasn't the only one; everyone in Candlestick Park, inside and out, was stunned, staring at the field in disbelief. The only thought in their minds was: this can't be real, it's gotta be a dream.
Silence, complete silence, the seventy-thousand-seat Candlestick Park was dead quiet. Home fans, away fans, everyone was in shock.
The ref's whistle blew, raising both hands high to signal: touchdown, confirmed! The loud whistle cut through the sky like an eagle soaring.
After letting go of the football, Luke stood still, eyes glued to his pass. The entire Seahawks defense had misjudged, so no one even tried to sack him. Luke could just stand there, watching his pass's trajectory.
Logan caught the ball, Logan sprinted, Logan scored.
Everything that followed seemed just like before. He passed, Logan caught; he passed, Logan scored.
But today felt different. The moment Logan crossed the end zone, Luke clenched his right fist, pumping it twice, a roar erupting from deep within, a cathartic release that still couldn't fully express his joy and exhilaration. He jumped, legs crossing in the air, right fist pumping like a piston, finally punching the sky with fierce determination.
Turning around, Luke roared towards the stands.
He didn't need any extra words, but it was like he was saying: Did you see that? Did you see that! Touchdown! That's a touchdown! Where are the doubters now? Where are the critics? Where are the mockers?
It wasn't aimed at the Seahawks, but at the stands. Compared to the Seahawks, the taunts and jeers from the San Francisco 49ers fans had really gotten under Luke's skin! Luke's roar, from Bambi, was a wild and unrestrained release of all his pent-up emotions.
Response? Silence, endless silence, the whole stadium seemed to fall asleep, with no extra sounds. They couldn't even muster cheers or celebratory shouts; silence was the only response.
At this moment, Luke felt like a Super Saiyan, or maybe a Super Bambi? His whole body was buzzing with energy, endlessly flowing.
Standing on the sidelines, Seattle Seahawks head coach Peter Carroll couldn't help but gape.
As a coach, he'd seen countless stunning moments, but right now, he had to admit, this was truly extraordinary, so much so that his mind couldn't process it for a moment. It wasn't just about ability, but also courage and audacity. This quarterback's dazzling debut was indeed remarkable.
Turning his head, Peter looked at his quarterback coach Carl with a playful glance.
But Carl had no time to respond. His shock and amazement were tenfold, a hundredfold, a thousandfold that of Peter's. He couldn't control his slightly open mouth, his face and eyes filled with disbelief: How is this possible? This isn't real, it's all a dream! That damn quarterback, that foolish quarterback, that fragile quarterback, how could he be so outstanding? His first career pass is a long touchdown? That's absolutely impossible!
Denial, denial, and more denial, that's the only reaction in Carl's mind right now.
Peter withdrew his gaze and quickly calmed down. He knew that the quarterback was venting his past frustrations and anger, which was entirely normal in competitive sports. But he wasn't panicked at all because the game had just begun, and the outcome was still unknown.
He wouldn't regret, he wouldn't be frustrated, and he wouldn't be afraid. Because today's victory would belong to the Seattle Seahawks, and he would prove that their initial decision was not wrong.
Luke was just an undrafted rookie!