American Football: Domination

At 345 Park Avenue, New York, the headquarters of the NFL stood tall amidst the Manhattan skyline. From his office's floor-to-ceiling windows, Commissioner Roger Goodell gazed out at the vast concrete jungle below. The sprawling cityscape symbolized the league's ambition: global domination, one step at a time.

On the desk behind him, newspapers and magazines lay scattered in organized chaos—an avalanche of headlines chronicling the 2017 NFL season opener. Goodell had read every word, a satisfied smile lingering on his face. His eyes gleamed with confidence and anticipation.

Timing. Location. Momentum.

Everything had fallen perfectly into place.

Just last month, on August 21st, the NFL inked an exclusive three-year broadcasting deal with China's Penguin Sports.

This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Negotiations with Penguin Sports had started back in 2015. Talks dragged on, plagued by cultural, logistical, and strategic hurdles. It wasn't until early this year that a breakthrough was reached, culminating in the historic agreement.

And then, Lance appeared.

Of course, the emergence of a single player wasn't the sole factor in securing the deal. Unlike NCAA football, where hyped prospects often fizzle out on the professional stage, the NFL couldn't afford to hinge its marketing on an unproven rookie. Lance was no guaranteed superstar.

But his arrival was perfectly timed.

Like Yao Ming's debut in the NBA, Lance represented more than just a player; he was a cultural touchstone, a potential pivot point for tapping into the Chinese market. With the right narrative and marketing, he could transform the NFL's reach in a country where American football was still finding its footing.

The absurdity of "Rookie vs. GOAT" as a storyline wasn't lost on anyone, least of all Goodell. The very premise was laughable. No rational person would equate Lance with Tom Brady at this stage in their careers.

But sports thrive on the irrational.

It's the drama, the controversy, the what-ifs that captivate audiences.

And Lance had delivered. Not only had he aced his NFL debut, but he also took the ludicrous narrative and amplified it into something far greater.

Goodell sipped his coffee, the bitter aroma mingling with the sweet aftertaste of success. The league's global ambitions were closer than ever.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," Goodell said, setting his coffee down.

Three members of the marketing team entered, carrying notebooks and laptops. Goodell skipped the pleasantries and cut straight to the point.

"Lance," he began.

"We need to fan the flames. By the time the next game rolls around, I want every corner of social media flooded with his name, his face, and his highlights."

His tone was decisive, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"And his connection to the Patriots?" one team member asked.

"Still relevant," Goodell replied. "Not just our official accounts. I want every outlet to engage. Create debates, spark discussions, drive engagement."

One team member hesitated, then asked, "Should we keep the tone entirely positive?"

Goodell chuckled.

"No, no, no. That's not how you sustain momentum."

He gestured broadly as he explained, "If everyone's either praising or criticizing him, it'll become stale. What we need is conflict. We need divergent opinions to clash. The majority should be positive, yes, but there should also be room for skeptics and critics to voice their doubts. That's what drives engagement."

He paused, savoring the strategic depth of his plan.

"All roads must lead to Week 2. This is just the beginning."

One team member raised a concern. "What if Lance loses next week?"

Goodell didn't bat an eye. "If he wins, he's a rising star. If he loses, it's a 'necessary setback on the road to greatness.' Winning or losing isn't the focus—it's the storylines that keep people talking."

He took another sip of coffee, then added, "As for the game itself? Let's see what Lance brings to the table. Not every player becomes great, but even those who don't can still generate buzz—and profits—along the way."

Goodell's words hung in the air, a reminder that professional sports were as much about spectacle and revenue as they were about competition.

Unseen forces were already at work. Lance's meteoric rise, coupled with the Patriots' fall, had reignited debates across sports media. The buzz reached far beyond New England and Kansas City.

Even Tom Brady couldn't escape becoming part of the narrative.

As for Lance's fellow rookies? The pressure was mounting.

"Every draft class has a bust among the top three picks. The third overall pick is already proving his worth, so…"

The implications were clear: the spotlight had turned to the top two picks.

The 2017 NFL Draft had been rife with intrigue, from the Cleveland Browns' smokescreens to the Chicago Bears' shocking trade-up for Mitchell Trubisky. The season opener had barely begun, but the reverberations of those draft-day decisions were still being felt.

Christian McCaffrey, the 8th overall pick and a fellow running back, had a mixed debut:

47 rushing yards38 receiving yards1 fumble

While the Carolina Panthers managed a win, McCaffrey—once unstoppable in college—had received a harsh wake-up call in the NFL.

To his credit, McCaffrey remained humble.

"I've got a lot to learn," he admitted postgame. "Lance set a great example. He proved that rookie running backs can succeed in this league. He's my benchmark now, and I hope to follow in his footsteps."

The candor won him praise, and McCaffrey even joked, "I might give Lance a call and ask for tips on studying the playbook. I swear, I feel like I'm still in school!"

His comments hinted at a friendly rivalry between the two.

In contrast, Leonard Fournette—the 4th overall pick—found himself under fire despite solid numbers:

100 rushing yards1 touchdown

The Jacksonville Jaguars had won, and Fournette's performance was objectively strong.

But when placed side by side with Lance's staggering debut? Fournette's achievements seemed pale.

Social media buzzed with criticism:

"The Jaguars missed out on Lance and settled for Fournette. What a blunder!""Caldwell blew it. They could've had the next superstar."

Fournette, baffled, muttered to himself, "Why am I being blamed? Go yell at the Browns or the Bears!"

He scrolled through his phone and stumbled upon an article.

What he saw left him speechless.

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates