霸道！重慶橄欖球隊(duì)要上美國(guó)好萊塢了

□ 文/本刊記者 李靜

“‘在中國(guó)的美式橄欖球’這樣一個(gè)運(yùn)動(dòng)與地點(diǎn)的組合一開(kāi)始聽(tīng)起來(lái)像是玩笑話，就好像‘牙買加大雪橇隊(duì)’一樣。但想到在這個(gè)擁有十三億人口的國(guó)家里，任何事都有可能在某地發(fā)生，那中國(guó)美式橄欖球的存在也算合理的了。2007年，NFL（美國(guó)職業(yè)橄欖球聯(lián)盟）在中國(guó)設(shè)立第一個(gè)辦事處，并且組建了一個(gè)青少年橄欖球聯(lián)賽，成長(zhǎng)到今天超過(guò)36支球隊(duì)的規(guī)模。與此同時(shí)，也涌現(xiàn)了一批業(yè)余美式橄欖球俱樂(lè)部，這其中就包括成立于2012年夏天的重慶碼頭工隊(duì)?！薄?014年4月，美國(guó)《新共和》新聞雜志將一篇關(guān)于在重慶的橄欖球隊(duì)的報(bào)道刊登發(fā)表，雜志記者Christopher Beam先后10次往返美國(guó)與重慶，實(shí)地采訪這個(gè)球隊(duì)的每個(gè)成員，用詼諧幽默，卻又不乏深思的語(yǔ)言，大篇幅地講述了這個(gè)橄欖球隊(duì)的故事。

讓人意想不到的是，這樣一篇看似普通的都市體育類文章一經(jīng)發(fā)表竟被好萊塢的制片人看上，并找到了文章中多次提到的球隊(duì)核心人物——美國(guó)人麥卓文（Christopher McLaurin），希望將他所在的球隊(duì)的故事翻拍成一部美國(guó)好萊塢電影。對(duì)于麥卓文來(lái)說(shuō)，這遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超過(guò)了他的預(yù)期，興奮、激動(dòng)和自豪……各種復(fù)雜的感情難以言表。

白宮實(shí)習(xí)生奮斗重慶

來(lái)自美國(guó)密歇根州，談話中透著開(kāi)朗與樂(lè)觀，麥卓文身上散發(fā)著典型美國(guó)年輕人的自信與積極，雖然身材高大，他卻更像是美國(guó)學(xué)者與運(yùn)動(dòng)員相結(jié)合的范本。父親是黑人，母親是白人，父母都是警察。他是當(dāng)?shù)匾凰熘鹘谈咧械拿餍情蠙烨騿T，隨后進(jìn)入密歇根大學(xué)校隊(duì)打強(qiáng)側(cè)邊鋒。

和印象中的體育學(xué)生不同，麥卓文的學(xué)習(xí)非常好，2009年他進(jìn)入密歇根大學(xué)攻讀歷史專業(yè)，此后又申請(qǐng)加入富布賴特項(xiàng)目（Fulbright），跟隨非政府組織到南非當(dāng)志愿者幫助孤兒，研究關(guān)于社會(huì)政策與環(huán)境對(duì)孩子的影響。此后他又憑借優(yōu)異的成績(jī)進(jìn)入倫敦政經(jīng)學(xué)院深造，修讀社會(huì)政策與規(guī)劃方面的碩士。并在2012年得到了一個(gè)白宮實(shí)習(xí)生的職位，協(xié)助總統(tǒng)助手，在醫(yī)療、低保、教育等領(lǐng)域工作。

對(duì)于麥卓文來(lái)說(shuō)，在白宮實(shí)習(xí)讓他了解到了政府的難處，也更加理解政治，卻也讓他對(duì)中國(guó)產(chǎn)生了興趣。“中國(guó)與美國(guó)有著不一樣的體制與模式，我一直都想了解亞洲，但我認(rèn)為目前中國(guó)在世界的影響力是不能小看的，有著不同的社會(huì)制度，卻發(fā)展成為一個(gè)實(shí)力強(qiáng)勁的國(guó)家，這讓我更想了解中國(guó)?！?012年12月，憑借亨利盧斯獎(jiǎng)學(xué)金（Henry R. Luce）的支持，麥卓文如愿以償來(lái)到了中國(guó)重慶，并在重慶兩江新區(qū)的一個(gè)投資公司任職項(xiàng)目經(jīng)理，負(fù)責(zé)公司的國(guó)際事務(wù)。

從美國(guó)到中國(guó)，從政府部門到金融企業(yè)，進(jìn)入一個(gè)完全陌生的專業(yè)和工作領(lǐng)域，麥卓文充滿了新鮮感，也需要時(shí)間適應(yīng)。在他看來(lái)，這就是他的風(fēng)格，喜歡嘗試不同的事和經(jīng)驗(yàn)。

重慶橄欖球隊(duì)的美國(guó)教練

在重慶的生活剛剛開(kāi)始，麥卓文便開(kāi)始尋找讓自己的閑暇時(shí)間更加豐富的事情來(lái)做。通過(guò)微博的朋友聯(lián)系介紹，他得知在重慶也有一個(gè)橄欖球隊(duì)，這讓他興趣大增，“能在中國(guó)打橄欖球似乎是一件讓我很激動(dòng)的事情?！丙溩课男χf(shuō)。

2012年秋，他出現(xiàn)在了訓(xùn)練場(chǎng)上，因?yàn)榍蜿?duì)是由本地的重慶年輕人組建的，似乎對(duì)橄欖球沒(méi)有什么意識(shí)，只是試圖模仿在電視上看到的。隊(duì)員們也沒(méi)有護(hù)墊和專業(yè)的行頭。雖然完全不明白到底是什么激勵(lì)了這群隊(duì)員學(xué)習(xí)這項(xiàng)與當(dāng)?shù)匚幕翢o(wú)聯(lián)系的運(yùn)動(dòng)，但他們的學(xué)習(xí)熱情很高，而麥卓文剛到重慶，需要朋友，也期待在中國(guó)打打自己最在行的橄欖球。于是，他被聘為了主教練。

因?yàn)殛?duì)伍里就他一個(gè)美國(guó)人，又真正懂橄欖球，麥卓文和隊(duì)伍之間也產(chǎn)生了不少的語(yǔ)言障礙和文化障礙。好在球隊(duì)里都是年輕人，一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)英語(yǔ)再配上肢體語(yǔ)言，和球隊(duì)里的技術(shù)翻譯的幫助，一切開(kāi)始上了軌道。麥卓文盡職盡責(zé)地向隊(duì)員傳授橄欖球的要點(diǎn)，帶領(lǐng)球隊(duì)堅(jiān)持訓(xùn)練，為了讓訓(xùn)練達(dá)到效果，他還制定了很嚴(yán)格的考勤規(guī)則，隊(duì)員如果想上場(chǎng)比賽，就必須參加一定數(shù)量的訓(xùn)練。

作為一個(gè)教練，麥卓文的確非常嚴(yán)格，但他對(duì)每件事情認(rèn)真的態(tài)度讓球隊(duì)隊(duì)員對(duì)他十分尊敬，都積極地聽(tīng)從指揮參加訓(xùn)練。慢慢地，球隊(duì)也開(kāi)始發(fā)生了變化，球員越來(lái)越多，不同國(guó)籍的年輕人也陸續(xù)加入，球隊(duì)變成了一個(gè)國(guó)際化的隊(duì)伍，球員們也比以前更快更強(qiáng)。而麥卓文也不滿于這只球隊(duì)只是簡(jiǎn)單的訓(xùn)練打發(fā)時(shí)間，他開(kāi)始在中國(guó)各個(gè)城市奔走，與當(dāng)?shù)氐拈蠙烨蜿?duì)接觸，組建了一個(gè)中國(guó)美式橄欖球聯(lián)盟，并組織了一個(gè)盛大的全國(guó)性的聯(lián)賽，短短一年的時(shí)間，麥卓文帶領(lǐng)的碼頭工隊(duì)遠(yuǎn)赴成都、上海、香港等大城市參加比賽，并贏得了聯(lián)賽冠軍。

創(chuàng)立中美橄欖球領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者基金

2014年，麥卓文從球隊(duì)在中國(guó)的發(fā)展找到靈感，和他的朋友Zach Brown一起在美國(guó)創(chuàng)立了中美橄欖球領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者基金計(jì)劃，他通過(guò)各種渠道，與一些曾就讀同一所大學(xué)的校友的社會(huì)人士、政府官員等洽談，期望得到資金捐助，支持他的這一基金項(xiàng)目，將具有領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者潛力的美國(guó)教練帶到中國(guó)。項(xiàng)目剛啟動(dòng)，就有以前和他一起曾在大學(xué)橄欖球隊(duì)打球的美國(guó)友人捐贈(zèng)了2萬(wàn)美金支持他的基金項(xiàng)目。這讓麥卓文對(duì)之后球隊(duì)的發(fā)展更加充滿信心。

帶領(lǐng)重慶碼頭工隊(duì)從默默無(wú)聞到被人所知，麥卓文真正將一個(gè)愛(ài)好發(fā)展成了一項(xiàng)事業(yè)，而他的隊(duì)友們也已將這個(gè)美國(guó)人看成了他們的精神支柱，“麥卓文成為我們的主教練，讓我們真正了解了橄欖球。打一開(kāi)始，他就無(wú)數(shù)次地告訴我們：‘我要把你們打造成中國(guó)最強(qiáng)的橄欖球隊(duì)！’每一次，我都說(shuō)，‘沒(méi)錯(cuò)！??！’但我心里還是有些懷疑?！?然后，在2013年，他又說(shuō)，‘我要組建一個(gè)中國(guó)美式橄欖球聯(lián)盟，在全中國(guó)打比賽！’這一次我還是想，‘這太難了，這么多城市，又都是業(yè)余球隊(duì)。還要制定規(guī)則，籌集旅行經(jīng)費(fèi)，好多好多問(wèn)題！’但他做到了。每一件事，他都做到了。他組織起了聯(lián)賽，并帶領(lǐng)我們奪得了全國(guó)冠軍！”隊(duì)員們都對(duì)他充滿了敬意。

如今，重慶碼頭工隊(duì)正在積極備戰(zhàn)他們的下一場(chǎng)全國(guó)比賽，麥卓文一邊忙著自己的工作，一邊將剩余的精力投入在了球隊(duì)和基金會(huì)上，他當(dāng)然期望好萊塢的制片商能真正將他的球隊(duì)的故事拍成一部電影，讓全世界見(jiàn)識(shí)重慶，見(jiàn)識(shí)中美橄欖球隊(duì)。作為一個(gè)在重慶奮斗的美國(guó)人，麥卓文讓我們知道：如果你有一個(gè)夢(mèng)想，你應(yīng)當(dāng)保護(hù)它，努力奮斗，并一直堅(jiān)持到夢(mèng)想實(shí)現(xiàn)的時(shí)刻。

● 圖片由受訪者本人提供

Chongqing US Football Team’s Story Goes Hollywood

In April, 2014, the New Republic published an article about an American football team in Chongqing. The reporter, Christopher Beam traveled 10 times between Chongqing and the US to interview each member of the team, telling the story of this unlikely team.

Surprisingly, this seemingly ordinary urban sports article was read by a Hollywood producer, who became interested in the story. He was fascinated by the team’s organizer, Christopher McLaurin, and hopes to retell his story in an American Hollywood movie. As for McLaurin, this is far beyond his wildest expectations, with feelings of excitement, pride and emotions beyond words.

White House Intern Came to Chongqing

Christopher McLaurin grew up in Michigan, a typical young American, conf i dent and positive. He was a product of the American scholar/athletic system. In Catholic high school he was a star football player and at the University of Michigan played offensive end on the varsity football team in 2009. He then applied for a Fulbright scholarship, volunteered to go to South Africa to help orphans and to study the impact of social policy and the environment on children. He then earned his Master’s Degree in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics with honors. Following his studies, he obtained a position as a White House intern in 2012, assisting presidential aides on medical care, subsistence allowances, education and other government programs.

Working in the White House made McLauren understand the government’s difficulties and the politics involved, but it also got him interested in China. “China and the United States have different systems and models, but at present, China’s influence in the world cannot be underestimated. It has developed into a powerful country with a different social system, which made me want to learn more about China.” In December, 2012, Christopher came to Chongqing on a Henry Luce scholarship and works in an investment company as a project manager in Chongqing, in charge of international affairs.

From the United States to China, from a governmental department to private enterprise, McLaurin brings fresh energy to a new profession. In his view, this is his style and he enjoys trying different experiences and exploring new areas.

Coach of the American Football Team in Chongqing

When McLaurin first learned there was a football team in Chongqing, the Dockers, he expressed great interest, “Thinking about playing American football in China made me very excited.” he said with a big smile. One day in 2012, McLaurin showed up at a practice. Since the team was made up of young people from Chongqing, they didn’t really know how to play, just tried to emulate what they had seen on TV. McLaurin, who had just arrived in Chongqing and wanted to make new friends, was immediately made head coach, despite some language and cultural barriers to overcome. It was a good thing the players were all young. Between their limited English and a lot of body language, with technical help from an interpreter, things quickly got on track. McLaurin urged the team to train and practice every day, with one strict attendance rule—team members who wanted to play must receive a certain amount of training.

As a coach, McLaurin is very strict, but his general attitude toward everything gained great respect from the players. The team gradually began to change, with more and more players from different countries joining the team. It has become an international team and the players are faster and stronger than ever. McLaurin began to travel all over China, formed the Chinese National Football League and organized a national championship game. McLaurin led the Dockers to play in different cities—Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong. They emerged victorious, winning the national championship.

The China-US Gridiron Leaders Fellowship Program

In 2014 McLaurin and his friend, Zach Brown established the China Gridiron Leaders Fellowship Program in America, bringing American coaches with potential leadership to China. McLaurin has made the Dockers more popular and famous, has developed a hobby into a career and his teammates see him as the spirit of the team.

Now the Dockers are preparing for their next national competition. McLaurin is focusing on the team and the Fellowship Program, while also busy with his work. He has high expectations Hollywood studios can really make his team’s story into a movie, letting the whole world see Chongqing, see the Chongqing American football team’s story. As an American struggling in Chongqing, McLaurin has taught us; if you have a dream, you should protect it, work hard and pursue it until your dream comes true.