Legendary Football Superstar

Colin was messing around with his fork, poking at his potato like it was some kind of stress ball. The poor potato was now full of holes. He kept sneaking glances at the guy sitting diagonally across from him. In a room full of Western faces, that Asian guy really stood out.

And he wasn't alone. Another Asian guy was sitting across from him, and they were having a blast, laughing and chatting away. In a football training camp, this was as rare as seeing a unicorn, leaving everyone a bit stunned.

"Colin?" Kendall Hunter waved his knife and fork to get his attention. "Hey, man, what's up? We've got a full afternoon of training. Are you trying to lose weight or something? I remember the fitness coach saying you need to bulk up."

This year, the San Francisco 49ers picked ten rookies in the draft, including two sixth- rounders and three seventh-rounders. Kendall was one of them, playing as a running back.

According to the team's unwritten rules, rookies had to sit in a designated area before the regular season started. Unless they got recognized, they couldn't sit with the veterans. It wasn't a strict rule, but it helped the veterans "train" the rookies during preseason camp.

Kendall's call snapped Colin back to reality, but it was clear he hadn't heard a word Kendall said. Instead, he muttered, "Isn't this ridiculous? Why is he getting interviewed by a reporter? And in the team cafeteria? Doesn't that break some rule?"

"What rule?" Kendall asked, confused.

Colin waved his hand irritably. "I don't know, but there's gotta be one. Aren't they worried this reporter might be a spy, here to steal our training secrets?"

Rookies were the future hope of the team, but realistically, they were nobodies who had to prove themselves.

Before the season started, even first-round picks didn't usually get interviewed by reporters. Generally, only the top three picks got media attention. To reporters, the rest of the rookies were all the same.

But that Avalis American quarterback had reporters interviewing him on the first day he signed, and the team even approved it? This was nuts!

Kendall chuckled, "You're a funny guy." Clearly, he didn't take Colin's words seriously, uthiihiigmiitwas ́ajure?

Colin felt both frustrated and stifled. He rolled his eyes, then noticed Alton Smith, the 49ers' first-round pick this year.

In any team, first-round picks were the center of attention. Alton was the seventh overall pick, making him a top-ten selection, which drew even more attention. Colin, a second-round pick, got half the spotlight.

Alton, like a little sun, naturally became the center of the rookie players. Although Colin was a quarterback, the brain of the team, Alton was a linebacker, also a leader on defense, making it hard to compare.

Under everyone's gaze, Alton walked over to the Avalis American quarterback, placed his tray beside him, and greeted him. They shook hands, bumped shoulders, patted backs, and chatted happily. Alton even greeted the reporter before saying, "I won't disturb you," and left with his tray.

Disturb?

A string in Colin's mind snapped. He stood up abruptly, startling Kendall. "Colin? What's wrong?"

But Colin ignored him, striding away. Kendall, snapping out of it, quickly called out, "Colin!" Then, worried about making a scene, he lowered his voice. In that brief moment, Colin had already left the rookie area, heading towards where the veteran players were gathered.

Kendall, puzzled, watched Colin's retreating figure. His gaze met Luke's. Luke gave a friendly smile, which Kendall returned, then turned back, still unsure of what Colin was up to.

Colin didn't hesitate, targeting a player: Parys Haralson.noveldrama

During this offseason, the 49ers had a major overhaul, releasing seventeen players and reshuffling the entire roster. So, there weren't many veterans left on the team, and Parys was one of them.

Parys was a 2006 draft pick, so he'd been with the team for five years. He was a fifth- rounder back then, and as an outside linebacker, his career had been pretty average. No Pro Bowls, no All-Pro teams, just kind of living up to his draft spot.

But Parys had a magnetic personality-bright, sociable, and loyal.

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After the team's big shake-up, things were chaotic. They had to deal with a new coaching staff led by the tough-as-nails Jim Harbaugh, and from below, they had an influx of rookies, free agents, and undrafted players.

The veteran players needed someone to keep things in check and organize stuff. Parys, being one of the few veterans left, naturally took on this role because of his seniority and personality. The vets subtly formed a group around him.

"Colin, you know freshmen aren't allowed in this area during lunch," Parys said, chatting with his teammates. He looked up to see the team's starting quarterback, young and clearly ticked off.

"I know," Colin shot back, then nodded towards the rookie area. "But I also know that rookies shouldn't be giving solo interviews to reporters, especially during lunch." Following Colin's lead, Parys looked over and saw Luke talking to a reporter. In the crowded room, spotting him wasn't hard. Not only Parys, but other veteran players also turned their heads, casting curious glances.

To be honest, Avalis American players were a rare sight in the whole league: How good was he? Could he handle the intensity of pro games? How well did he fit in with the team and get along with the players? What impact would cultural differences have? Even as a backup, would he hold the team back? Would he become the focus of reporters, overshadowing the game? Would he become a target for other teams?

Everything was new, everything was uncertain, everything was unfamiliar. They were like lab rats in an experiment, and curiosity was inevitably mixed with some rejection. Winning the veterans' approval was never easy for rookies, and for an Avalis American player, it was even harder.

"This rookie clearly hasn't gone through the team's initiation and doesn't know his place. Is this allowed?" Colin continued to stir the pot.

With all the new faces on the team this year, the veterans' tradition of pranking rookies had taken a hit. Parys and his crew had given the ten rookies a few light-hearted lessons over the past three months, but nothing too intense.

Still, Colin had a point: this new rookie had a long way to go before he could call himself a true San Francisco 49er.

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Parys glanced at his buddies and grinned, "So, you guys ready to play mentor?"

In three months, the 49ers had mostly settled in. The original vets and the experienced players who had transferred in had gotten to know each other. The pranks weren't as intense as they used to be.

Everyone exchanged knowing smiles.

Then Parys looked up at Colin, who was smirking, "And it seems you haven't learned your lesson either. Before the regular season, no crossing boundaries means no crossing boundaries, no exceptions." Colin's smile froze. "Thirty push-ups, right now." Colin stared at Parys, speechless. Then he saw the teasing glances from the other players around him. Gritting his teeth, he got down and started doing push-ups on the spot.

Instantly, Colin became the center of attention in the cafeteria, even drawing the attention of Luke and Jerry, who turned their heads, puzzled.

"It's all his fault. It's all his fault. It's all his fault." With each push-up, Colin muttered through gritted teeth. If it weren't for that damn guy, he wouldn't be in this situation. "Aren't you concerned? What's going on?" Jerry asked, surprised, looking around to see everyone else wearing expressions of indifference. In the eyes of the veteran players, there was even a hint of schadenfreude.

Luke just shrugged. "In American sports, rookies always get pranked. Nothing new."

As an Avalis American quarterback, Luke had experienced similar pranks throughout elementary school, middle school, and college. From initial anger and resistance to subsequent depression and resignation, and finally to dissolving the pranks with wit or clever retaliation, he was no longer a kid.

"And you..." Jerry began to realize, after all, he was also an Avalis American living in the

U.S.

Luke smiled. "I guess my turn is coming soon."

Jerry looked at Luke with a hint of doubt: Why did it seem like Luke was almost looking forward to it?