Chapter 666: The Peacock's Display
Cam Newton and Lu Ke.
The most interesting and talked about pair of rookies in the 2011 season was the first overall pick Cam and the undrafted Lu Ke. One was a golden boy, and the other was a nobody. The stark contrast and huge gap between them suggested that they would never have any connection.
But the truth was, they not only had a connection, but it also continued from the very first week of the regular season to the last.
Just like the defensive duo of "Von Miller vs. JJ Watt," the performance of these two rookie quarterbacks was always the focus of major media outlets. The huge difference in their starting points only added to the drama. As long as people talked about rookies, Cam and Lu Ke were the two topics that were impossible to avoid, week after week. It was always like this.
What was even more unexpected was that at the end of the season, Lu Ke had inexplicably gained the upper hand in every aspect. Except for passing yards, all his other stats, achievements, and honors were dominated by the ugly duckling, who came out of nowhere as a dark horse and even surpassed all other rookies, becoming an excellent player comparable to Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.
It wasn't that Cam's performance in his rookie season wasn't good enough, but that Lu Ke's performance was too amazing.
Because of this, many experts said that the performance of these two quarterbacks in their sophomore year was something to look forward to. Whether Cam, who had more potential on paper, could make a comeback, and whether Lu Ke, who came out of nowhere and shocked everyone, could continue his strong performance, would undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated things in the league.
Now, the 2012 season hadn't officially started yet, but the silent rivalry between the two players had already begun at the Pro Bowl.
Although Lu Ke was selected for the Pro Bowl and Cam wasn't, the difference between them was obvious and there was no comparison. But in the skills challenge, Lu Ke and Cam would be the focus of attention. For the Hawaiian audience, this might just be an entertaining event, but for the two players, it was an extension of their competitive stage.
However, no one had expected that these two rookie quarterbacks would choose to arrive in Honolulu on the same day. The skills challenge hadn't even started yet, but the underlying tension between the two had already begun to brew.
When the first person realized this, they chose to shut up and carefully moved their gaze back and forth between Cam and Lu Ke. This strange atmosphere gradually spread, and the entire bus became awkward and stiff.
The turbulent heat that was just boiling instantly froze. Everyone's eyes carefully went back and forth between the two rookie quarterbacks. Everyone was trying to read the room, making it so awkward that they couldn't get out of it. The cold air rushed over, as if they were back on the mainland where winter had just arrived.
Lu Ke was looking for Logan and Marcus when he gradually felt the temperature drop. It was as if he had entered an air-conditioned room in the middle of a hot summer. Goosebumps appeared on his skin. It was at this moment that he saw Cam's bright and sharp eyes.
Cam was truly dressed up for the occasion.
A dark blue crewneck T-shirt, a bright red blazer, a small top hat with a black ribbon... The colorful clothes clashed fiercely. His even, dark skin had a faint luster. A proud and arrogant look flew freely between his eyebrows. His confidence radiated from his every move, and he even wore a lot of rings and bracelets on his hands.
For Lu Ke, considering the hassle of airport security and the fatigue of long flights, he always tried to travel light. This trip was no exception. He was wearing a white T-shirt, light blue jeans, and a pair of canvas shoes. That was it. It was so simple that it could even be described as plain.
Now that he saw Cam, Lu Ke finally understood what a "superstar" was.
He had heard that top superstars never slacked off. Even on a long flight, they would try their best to stay in their best shape. After getting off the plane and landing at the airport, they would go to the VIP lounge to groom themselves and even change into a new outfit before facing the media and fans.
This was exactly what happened at the airport entrance.
Lu Ke was completely caught off guard by the fans and reporters. But if it was Cam, he would have been fully prepared.
Or, to be more precise, Lu Ke finally understood what it meant to "always be ready."
If Cam and Lu Ke had appeared separately, their different styles would have been fine, just a matter of personal choice. But when they appeared in the same place, Cam's grand and formal look seemed a little overdone and excessive, like a peacock showing off its feathers.
Lu Ke was the rookie quarterback who was selected for the Pro Bowl, not Cam.
Lu Ke was the rookie quarterback who earned the cheers of the audience and reporters, not Cam.
Lu Ke was the rookie quarterback who received countless praise and attention, not Cam.
He failed to gain the upper hand on the field, but he showed off his magnificent style off the field, vividly illustrating the essence of getting the priorities wrong. At this moment, in the eyes of everyone, Cam looked a little like a clown, while Lu Ke showed a calm and wise presence.
In the brief moment their eyes met, the momentum of the two players had already shifted.
But for the two of them, the unexpected encounter was reasonable. The rivalry on the field extended to off the field without a sound. Even though it was an unintentional meeting, both Cam and Lu Ke were prepared and calmly showed their stance.
Sitting steadily in his seat, Cam slowly raised his chin, like a king welcoming a subordinate or a commoner who had come a long way to see the royal family. The arrogance and contempt that came from his bones went through the narrow bus aisle and landed clearly and accurately on Lu Ke.
Even though he was completely outmatched in his rookie season, Cam had no intention of showing weakness. Not only was he not intimidated, but he also chose to take the initiative. His high-and-mighty posture seemed to say, "I accept your challenge," as he, the first overall pick, looked down at the fierce challenge from an undrafted rookie.
The sharp and contemptuous look in his clear black and white eyes launched a fierce attack.
Cam's high-and-mighty stance was like setting up a stage. His whole body exuded a forced and pretentious air. Lu Ke couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. He looked around and made sure that there were no cameras broadcasting live. Then he looked away, ignoring Cam's provocation and attack. Instead, he looked at Logan and gestured, "Is the seat behind you empty?"
Challenge? Confrontation? Rivalry?
Lu Ke was never afraid. He would solve everything on the field. But this didn't mean that he had to be a fighting rooster, looking for trouble everywhere.
This kind of childish provocation was something he could have left in high school.
Lu Ke's calm smile and composed words instantly broke the tense atmosphere in the bus. He could clearly be seen at ease. In contrast, Cam's serious demeanor seemed a little ridiculous. He was like a person punching into a pillow, unable to exert force or pull back.
Just like his outfit, Cam's entire being exuded an eagerness that was overdone.
In an instant, all eyes turned to Cam.
Cam secretly gritted his teeth, glaring at Lu Ke. He cursed him in his heart, "Coward!" But on the surface, he couldn't make any unnecessary moves. He just pursed his lips and pretended that nothing had happened. He slowly, slowly looked away and continued to chat with his teammates.
A silent but tense confrontation disappeared into nothingness, but the tension between the two players was heating up. The well-prepared Cam still couldn't gain the upper hand. The upcoming skills challenge might be worth looking forward to.
In the bus, a faint murmur of conversation emerged again. Everyone started whispering about what had just happened. The young men's competitive nature was fully expressed at this moment. Every face looked eager, wanting to roll up their sleeves and have a good competition.
Faint glances kept falling on Lu Ke and Cam. Lu Ke didn't feel it, but Watt felt it very clearly.
He was standing behind Lu Ke, so Watt didn't personally witness the brief exchange of glances. The strange feeling was even more prominent now. After a moment of hesitation, he still asked, "Kai, can I ask you a question?" After getting a positive answer, Watt said seriously, "Why is Bambi so popular here?"
For Watt, he was just curious.
But for the other players, who had just witnessed the lightning-fast confrontation between Lu Ke and Cam, this question seemed to have a deeper meaning and implication.
In an instant, all eyes were on them.
Cam glared at Watt with an extremely sharp look, clearly thinking that Watt was deliberately targeting him. The provocation and sharpness that erupted from the depths of his eyes were almost impossible to hide. Then, he saw Watt turn his head and meet Cam's gaze innocently. His strong body, like a bull, blocked Cam's attack head-on.
Cam's breath was stuck in his throat.
Watt ignored Cam's childishness and turned his head back, explaining further, "I mean, is there a special connection between Bambi and Hawaii? Just now at the airport entrance, the cheers from the fans were definitely the loudest."
"Exactly, exactly." After Watt finished, Logan also joined in, shouting, "And those Hawaiian women too!"
The peacock that showed off its feathers was ignored, but the low-key one got a response from everyone.
This...
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