Before the next day arrived, photos and clips of Zhao Dong during the Jets' training scrimmage had already gone viral across the internet.
Soon after, a reporter broke the news about Kaneki Lewis's injury: a mild concussion. He'd need to rest for at least one to two weeks before resuming full contact.
The next day, New York media was still buzzing about Zhao Dong. Oddly enough, the New York Giants, historically the more dominant team in the region, weren't getting nearly as much coverage.
Both the Jets and Giants share MetLife Stadium—nicknamed "Giants Stadium"—but despite that shared turf, the rivalry is real. One represents the AFC, the other the NFC, and competition for attention in the New York market has always been fierce.
The Jets, despite only one Super Bowl win in 1969, were suddenly back in the spotlight.
Meanwhile, the Giants, with six NFL championships, over twenty division titles, and legends like Lawrence Taylor, found themselves upstaged.
Why?
Because of Zhao Dong.
---
In an interview, Giants star wide receiver Plaxico Burress expressed his frustration.
"People should be focusing on real football players, not billionaires who come here to play dress-up."
His passive-aggressive jab instantly made headlines, with reporters fanning the flames between the Giants and Jets to stir hype and boost ratings.
---
Two days later, Kaneki Lewis returned to the Jets.
His tests came back clear—no internal bleeding. Just heavy bruising and breathlessness from that hit with Zhao Dong. Not serious, but certainly humiliating.
Lewis's attitude had soured even further. Though he didn't dare confront Zhao Dong again—he wasn't stupid. After seeing what happened to Venis, he knew better than to provoke someone who might literally kill you on the field.
He steered clear during drills, knowing one wrong move could land him in the hospital again.
---
On the morning of July 21, Zhao Dong's custom mega-yacht finally arrived in New York.
He and Lindsay welcomed it at their private dock, joined by their four sons. Reporters from across the country were invited to cover the event. Just as promised, Zhao Dong also welcomed most of the Jets roster, numerous NBA friends, and some of Lindsay's high-profile guests.
"A floating fortress of luxury!" — The New York Times
The yacht became national news overnight. Photos plastered the front pages and homepage sliders of every major media outlet.
---
"Too damn luxurious," Michael Jordan muttered for the hundredth time, walking across the polished deck.
Charles Barkley, never one to hold back, grinned. "This is what being rich really looks like. I'm just a broke legend next to this man."
Charles Oakley leaned on the railing. "I'm not getting off this boat today. Not until I'm forced to."
Larry Johnson, standing beside him, puffed up. "Zhao Dong promised me a permanent room on board. I can come and go whenever I want."
"Son of a—" Jordan cursed.
He knew the real reason Johnson had that kind of access—it was because he once punched Jordan in the face defending Zhao Dong. Loyalty like that came with perks.
---
As July ended, so did the Jets' half-month full-team training camp.
The calendar flipped to August 2003, and NFL preseason loomed ahead.
In just two weeks, Zhao Dong had shown noticeable improvement. His physical gifts gave him a massive edge, and he had adapted fast in the early stages.
---
Skill Progress Summary:
His catching ability, for instance, had grown rapidly. Though the system skill level hadn't increased (still locked at 80), he now believed he was approaching elite catching ability thanks to his physical traits—massive hands, long arms, and elite verticals.
NFL rules prohibit defenders from making contact with receivers before the catch. That meant that with Zhao Dong's size, leaping reach, and strong hands, once he got into position, defenders would struggle to stop him.
---
System Skill Updates:
Receiving: Still 80 (cap not raised without official game validation)
Long Pass: +3 → 45
Mid Pass: +2 → 65
Evasion: +2 → 73
Push Ability: +1 → 71
Passing Ability: +3 → 73
Fake Ability: +3 → 73
Running Interception: +2 → 80
Return Ability: +2 → 75
---
Positional Proficiency:
Linebacker: 73 → 78
Tight End: Now 75
Running Back: Now 74
---
His overall versatility was taking shape, but he remained in a transitional stage—not quite a starter, not a star, but above-average for a rookie.
In fact, many of his training performances showed skills beyond Level 80, but per the system's rules, only in-game performances could officially unlock higher levels.
---
Despite the hype, media coverage was mixed.
Reporters praised his work ethic, but called his skills "average," and questioned his impact potential. "No standout traits," they wrote.
NFL analysts and ex-players weren't much kinder. Most believed he'd flame out, sticking with their original takes from the day he signed.
---
Late one night, Michael Jordan called.
"Zhao Dong, it's time to come home. This league isn't for you," he said, half-joking. "You're surrounded, man. The whole NFL's gunning for you."
Zhao Dong chuckled. "Michael, quitting before I even start? That's not my style. Give me time. I'll make them worship me here too."
Jordan laughed. "Man, have you seen what the media's saying? You're all talk, no highlights."
"I didn't have any highlights when I entered the NBA, either," Zhao Dong replied.
"Damn it, you can't be serious." Click. Jordan hung up.
The same "nobody with no highlights" had once forced Jordan into early retirement.
Zhao Dong smiled proudly and set his phone down.
---
During the two-week training camp, Zhao Dong had intentionally held back. After what happened to Lewis on Day One, he toned down his physical aggression. He didn't want to keep injuring teammates before the season even began.
The Jets were aiming to repeat as division champions, and Zhao Dong didn't want to be blamed for any dip in performance. If the media turned on him, it would be ruthless.
---
August: The Preseason Begins
The NFL preseason officially kicks off in August, running for five weeks until early September.
Each team plays four games, except for the two teams selected for the Hall of Fame Game, who play five.
This Hall of Fame Game marks the preseason opener and is held in Canton, Ohio, in conjunction with the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Hall of Fame Game takes place in Canton, Ohio, home of the NFL Hall of Fame and regarded as the birthplace of the league.
Canton is just 35 kilometers from Akron, the hometown of LeBron James.
Every year, two teams are selected for the Hall of Fame Game—one from the AFC and one from the NFC. But this game is more ceremonial than competitive. Teams rarely send their starters, and the main focus is the induction of eight new Hall of Fame players.
But Zhao Dong wasn't concerned with the Hall of Fame Game.
His attention was elsewhere.
Lindsay was pregnant, and during this period, his priority was his family.
---
Meanwhile, Yang Yi, the reporter from CCTV, had stayed behind in New York. Originally, he was part of a full crew with Zhang Heli and others, but they'd all flown back to China. Now, Yang Yi was on his own.
Realistically, he had already given up hope of CCTV broadcasting NFL games. Their decision was practically confirmed once the others left.
Sure enough, on the morning of August 7th, the final notice arrived:
"CCTV will not broadcast NFL games this season."
Yang Yi was crushed.
Even worse, the station told him that from now on, he would cover Zhao Dong alone, without a crew. No camera team, no studio support.
Still, Yang Yi didn't quit. He began studying American football every day, determined to become a qualified NFL reporter despite knowing nothing about the sport just weeks ago.
---
On August 8th, he called Zhao Dong.
Zhao Dong wasn't surprised. He had already guessed that CCTV wouldn't touch the NFL—football was just too niche in China, nowhere near as popular as basketball.
"Zhao Dong, can you help me get a press pass for Jets practices?" Yang Yi asked over the phone.
"No problem. I'll give you a heads-up when it's ready." Zhao Dong replied with a grin.
"Thanks, man. Appreciate it," Yang Yi said, clearly relieved.
---
August 11 — Preseason Begins
The NFL preseason officially began.
Each team has four preseason games (excluding the Hall of Fame Game). The Jets' first game was scheduled for Sunday, August 12th, at home, against the Detroit Lions.
The Lions, an NFC North team, have a proud legacy—four NFL championships before the Super Bowl era. But since 1967, they hadn't lifted another title.
There are no truly weak teams in the NFL, and the Lions were no exception.
But it was still preseason—a stage where starters get limited minutes, and backups fight for roster spots. In that sense, it's similar to the NBA's preseason: less about results, more about evaluation.
Out of the 64 preseason games, only a handful get national TV coverage. Typically, teams only deploy a few starters in those spotlight games.
---
NFL Broadcast Rhythm
NFL games are not played daily.
In a standard week, there are only games on:
Monday night
Thursday night
Sunday (day & night)
Friday is reserved for high school football.
Saturday is for college football.
This scheduling avoids overlap with other leagues and maintains national interest in each tier.
The three national night games are the NFL's showcase events.
This time, the New York Jets were selected by TNT Cable for the Sunday Night Game, the only nationally televised preseason game that day.
Many believed the Zhao Dong effect was a major reason.
---
At 8:00 a.m. on August 8, Jets management opened ticket sales for the preseason game.
To their shock, all 82,500 tickets sold out in just half a day.
In previous years, preseason games barely reached half-capacity. After all, they didn't count toward standings.
But this?
"That's the Zhao Dong effect," said General Manager Maureen Philip, barely hiding his excitement.
---
August 12 — Game Day
Several preseason games were held earlier in the day.
The Jets, however, held only light recovery training, preserving energy for the night game.
That evening, New York became a magnet for NBA royalty.
Jordan, Magic Johnson, Barkley, Oakley, Larry Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and more—over 30 legendary NBA players—gathered to watch Zhao Dong's NFL debut.
And they weren't planning to pay a cent.
Every one of them called Zhao Dong directly, shamelessly requesting free hotel rooms, food, and VIP treatment.
Zhao Dong, ever the host, made sure they were all well-accommodated.
Even the newly crowned NBA #1 draft pick LeBron James showed up, bringing along his crew—Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul.
Though the rookies didn't get to sit with the NBA legends, they were excited just to be part of the moment.
---
LeBron and Paul had both played football in high school. Though they chose basketball in the end, their love for the gridiron never left.
Seeing Zhao Dong make the switch, they couldn't resist flying out to witness history.
---
That afternoon, Barkley called Zhao Dong and put him on speakerphone.
"Hey, Zhao! You better be on the field tonight. Don't let us come out here for nothing!"
Zhao Dong laughed, replying confidently,
"Charles, I'll be out there on special teams, offense, and defense tonight. You're about to witness a triple-threat debut."
"Triple-threat my ass," Barkley chuckled.
"This dude's talking big!"
"Zhao Dong, you might ride the bench all night!" another voice chimed in, drawing laughter from the crowd.
---
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions had landed in New York.
Their captain, Hard McCas, a defensive end known as the "Angry Lion," gave a press interview.
"Hard, what do you think about Zhao Dong's debut?" a reporter from New York Sports Daily asked.
McCas scoffed.
A longtime critic of Chinese athletes, McCas had a deep resentment ever since a Chinese player became the face of the NBA.
Now that Zhao Dong had made the jump to the NFL, McCas saw his chance.
"I hope he plays. I really do," McCas growled.
"I want him to feel what real football is. This isn't the NBA—it's not for soft stars. Out here? You get hit. You get hurt. He might not walk off the field."
---
"Hey! Hard, cool it," muttered GM Gambis Reed, who quickly pulled him aside.
"Don't say that crap on the record. If you've got beef, handle it on the field. But don't make trouble with the press."
"Don't worry," McCas replied darkly. "I'll deal with him on the field."
---
Zhao Dong, of course, heard about the comments almost immediately.
When a reporter reached him for comment, he replied over the phone:
"McCas? He's just an idiot—plain and simple. He belongs in a waste treatment facility, not on a football field. That's where his talent fits."
---
Back in the Lions' hotel, McCas blew up.
"What did he say?! He called me trash?!"
Reporters had poked the bear, and now McCas was ready to explode.
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