Chapter 658: Walk with Me
Ted Ginn lay quietly on the hospital bed, his arms and legs wrapped in bandages. They weren't the heavy casts or complicated braces one might have imagined, just simple, light dressings. He looked so at ease, as if he had only suffered a minor scrape.
"Hey, man, did you come to visit me, or did you come to hold a signing event?" Ginn's winking expression was a little comical. He was even in the mood to joke, which showed that his condition was nowhere near as bad as one might have thought.
But Lu Ke knew it was an illusion. A concussion was never as simple as it looked.
"Signing event? I think you're underestimating my popularity and influence. If it were a signing event, I'd need a venue a hundred times bigger, or the fans wouldn't be able to fit," Lu Ke said with a slight arch of his eyebrow and a proud, arrogant look.
Ginn rolled his eyes. "I know, I know. You made it to the Pro Bowl. It's different now."
Lu Ke pursed his lips and theatrically squinted his eyes. "So, are we in mutual praise mode now? Is it my turn to compliment you because you also made it to the Pro Bowl?"
Ginn didn't say anything, just spread his hands in a gesture of accepting all the praise.
Lu Ke laughed, then said seriously, "Congratulations, congratulations on making it to the Pro Bowl! Next step, All-Pro First Team or Second Team, how does that sound? Feeling confident?"
"Of course!" Ginn nodded without hesitation. "Bring it on!" He paused for a moment, then continued, "When are you flying to Honolulu? Are you going to participate in the skills challenge? That's your stage, to really show off your skills." His excited tone clearly showed his curiosity.
"Tonight," Lu Ke said, sitting down at the foot of the bed. "I'll go to my parents' place for lunch, and then I'll head to the airport. I'll probably participate in the skills challenge. Leh-heh said it's a good place to make friends. Quarterbacks can talk to each other more. On the field, we're opponents, but off the field, we aren't necessarily enemies."
"Then I'll look forward to it," Ginn said with a look of anticipation. "It's a shame. My first time making it to the Pro Bowl, and I have to miss it." Ginn gestured to his injuries. A look of sadness came over his face. "Those top players use injuries as an excuse to avoid the long trip and potential injuries, but I want to be in the Pro Bowl, and I can't."
Ginn sighed softly, then looked up again. His expression became light again as he looked at Lu Ke. "So, show off on that stage. Maybe after the skills challenge, you can get a few endorsement deals. Then you'll become another brand ambassador for the league."
Although Ginn's tone was incredibly light, Lu Ke could feel the deep regret. This time, he didn't smile. Instead, he took a deep breath and changed the subject. The words he had been wanting to say were difficult, but he finally let them out. "I'm sorry, Ted. We couldn't win that game."
Ginn showed a bitter smile and shrugged. "Of course, no one likes to lose. You don't like it. I don't like it. I don't think Eli Manning likes it either. But we gave it our all. We left no regrets. That's enough. So, there's no need to apologize. You don't owe me anything."
Lu Ke didn't say anything, but the dim look in his eyes said it all.
Ginn looked down at himself, wearing a hospital gown and lying in a hospital bed. He wouldn't be able to practice for a long time. Even after he recovered, he wasn't sure if he could maintain his form from this season. After five years of ups and downs, he had suddenly been hit with a major blow, and his career had become uncertain again.
If he said he wasn't disappointed or angry, Ginn would be lying to himself. But after venting his emotions, he still had to face reality.
"Bambi, you should know that injuries are part of our careers. If you want to avoid them, the best way is to retire. Otherwise, we have to face them with our heads held high. What do you think?" Ginn looked up again, and his calm eyes revealed a simple truth. "This really sucks. I admit it. If I could, I wish none of this had happened."
"This" referred to the injuries.
"But now, I'm ready to look ahead," Ginn said with a big smile. "I hope that this time next year, we can stand on the stage of the NFC Championship again and give our all in the game. You throw to me, and I'll catch the ball and score a touchdown. We can team up to go for the Super Bowl. What do you think? It's a good idea, right?"
Ginn adjusted his sitting position. The movement was a little clumsy, and his exaggerated grimace was a little comical. After he finally adjusted his position, he showed a satisfied smile, as if he was pleased with his effort. That positive, go-getter attitude was like the afternoon sun, fresh and dry, and it washed over Lu Ke.
"In the upcoming offseason and training camp, I'll give it my all. I'll start with rehabilitation, then basic training. It's going to be difficult. I don't know how difficult, after all, I've never had a chance like this before," Ginn said with a self-deprecating smirk. Then, his smile widened. "But this time, I'm going to give it a try."
He didn't say anything grand, but he exuded a sense of determination. His calm eyes suddenly came to life. Ginn asked seriously, "Bambi, what do you think?"
Lu Ke was slightly stunned, and he savored Ginn's words. Then, a smile slowly spread from his eyes. The sadness, regret, and disappointment all vanished under Ginn's gaze. "That's a good idea. I think it's a very good idea."
Lu Ke nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and met Ginn's eyes. "I want to win the Super Bowl."
This was his goal, the most important goal at the moment, and the goal that every player in the league longed to achieve. But Lu Ke said it so casually. That powerful confidence and unwavering belief collided, creating a dazzling spark. Then he repeated it again, "I want to win the Super Bowl!"
"And to achieve that goal, I need my offensive line. I need my running backs. I need my tight ends, and I need my wide receivers," Lu Ke said, looking at Ginn with a bright smile. "Ted, I need you on the field, to make those difficult catches. Michael can't do it. Vernon can't. Kyle can't. Logan can't. Ted, only you can make those catches."
His simple words were full of passion.
Ginn's heart couldn't help but pound.
"Take it slow, Ted. Take it slow, one step at a time. First, you need to recover from your injuries, then start basic training, then the team training camp, the preseason, the regular season, and then the playoffs and the Super Bowl... A season sounds very short, but it's actually incredibly long. We need to focus on the present, one week at a time. Ted, I need you to walk with me and fight side-by-side! What do you think of this proposal?"
The light in Lu Ke's eyes brightened little by little, like a lighthouse on the sea at night, guiding the ships to find a clear goal and ride the waves!
On the road of chasing their dreams, on the road of chasing the Super Bowl, there would be thorns and countless dangers. Even if they gave it their all, they might not be able to achieve the final goal. But one thing was certain: if they all went their separate ways and went on their own, they were destined to not reach the end. They had to be firmly united, support each other, and walk and move forward together, charging toward the finish line.
Ginn's eyes couldn't help but turn a little red.
After the NFC Championship game ended, the red ocean in Candlestick Park and San Francisco was spectacular, becoming the most unique and beautiful sight of the 2011 season. Unfortunately, Ginn was unable to be a part of it. But now, Ginn felt itโthat surging and fanatical belief that made people's blood boil.
Ginn laughed loudly, covering up his embarrassment, and said jokingly, "Am I the only one? If so, this ship doesn't seem very stable."
"As far as I know, Logan and Marcus are already on the ship. Michael and Vernon are also ready. Even Kyle has agreed. Now, all that's missing is you. What do you think?" Lu Ke played along with Ginn's joke and started listing the "crew members" seriously.
Ginn nodded seriously, smacked his lips, and then pondered for a moment. "Okay, it sounds pretty reliable now. Then, I'll reluctantly get on the ship. But if I'm not satisfied later, I can get off the ship at any time. You must know that."
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that? If you can't keep up and fall behind, I'm going to kick you off the ship," Lu Ke said. Before he could finish, Ginn complained loudly, "Hey! I'm an injured player! How can you say something like that? It's not nice!"
"Since you're aware of that, then you should rest up and not be too impatient. There's an old Chinese saying, 'haste makes waste,'" Lu Ke said, trying to explain in simple English. Then he saw Ginn's mischievous expression that said, "I don't understand," and the atmosphere instantly became relaxed again.
Before lunch, Lu Ke left the hospital, ending his visit. He went home, had lunch with Lu Zhengze and Jiang Younin, then packed his bags and drove to San Francisco International Airport to catch his flight to Hawaii, to participate in the excitement of the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Lu Ke was not alone. Logan, Marcus, and Willis were also with him, as well as an unofficial member: JJ Watt.
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