Capítulo 1619: Chapter 1618: Igniting the Fla
Tactics, ability, teamwork, performance, condition, focus, play-making.
All these are necessary conditions to strive for victory and the championship, but nothing compares to a heart full of fighting spirit.
The consecutive cobacks in the 2017 season, the intense matchups in the 2018 season, and the undefeated stance in the 2019 season were all based on that fla inside, a fighting spirit, a desire, a dream, helping the Kansas City Chiefs to overco difficulties and achieve a breakthrough for the NFL for the first ti in a century.
And now, after writing miracles and creating history one after another, everything has entered a state of being overturned and started anew. Before embarking on the journey to fight for a four-peat, the Kansas City Chiefs have a lot more work to do. The first step?
Ignite that fla, the fla of desiring the championship, desire victory, desire battle.
But, this requires a process, a long and arduous process. After all, they are not ga characters nor hot-blooded comic heroes; they can’t instantly transform into the Hulk after being filled with motivational speeches and fervor, and run full speed ahead the next second. It requires patience.
Besides, reality might be more complex and difficult than expected.
Take it slow, one step at a ti—
Today, the first day of the sumr training camp, they’ve made a solid first step.
Unlike previous years, after a day of training, they did not return to their residences as the team booked the entire accommodation building, completely isolating them from the outside world. The players, coaches, and staff will all live in the sa building for the next four weeks, spending twenty-four hours together.
After showering, massages, relaxation, and such, the players chatted and laughed, heading towards the dormitory building. Li Wei was sharing amusing stories from Watt’s wedding party, trying to help the players adapt to the fact that the legendary Watt has beco a mber of the Chiefs. anwhile, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
“Oh, oh, oh, girlfriend, girlfriend!”
“Wait, does the rookie have a date?”
“Of course. And not just one. We know of three. Whether there are more outside, you’ll have to ask Patrick.”
“Patrick, does the rookie have other dates outside?”
“Yes. There are three more!”
The loud hoopla couldn’t stop, obviously showing they were all stifled before training camp and finally, they gathered together, feeling more relaxed and wild than usual.
Amidst the chaos, Li Wei appeared particularly calm. Glancing at the caller ID with a smile, he answered, “Hey, Alex.”
The eavesdropping ears around him were all stunned. Alex? Which Alex?
“Yep, just finished training, all the guys are here together, one second.” Li Wei held up his phone high, “Guys, our eternal captain called to say hello.”
Faces were puzzled, smiles spread across faces as Watt and Bowen were completely at a loss—
Eternal captain? Who? Isn’t the Kansas City Chiefs’ captain Li Wei? Then who’s calling Li Wei now?
Mahos and Kelsey quickly caught on, exchanging glances and shouting in unison, “Hey, Alex!”
Although they tried, the shouts were scattered and intermittent, lacking in harmony, making everyone collectively burst into laughter.
Mahos rushed over, shouting into Li Wei’s phone, “Alex, we all miss you. Hope to see you on the field again.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Kelsey ca over too, pressing against Mahos’ back, “Now, you’re the only team we haven’t defeated in the league, quickly, let’s have a match to showcase so prestige, let’s prove ourselves with a quick win. Just as a formality.”
Ha!
Everybody burst into laughter.
Watt still hadn’t caught on, looking at Li Wei.
Li Wei explained, “Alex Smith.”
Watt was stunned, completely in a daze—
Back then, when Alex Smith “betrayed” the Kansas City Chiefs for personal interests and left for the Washington Football Team, he faced a wave of criticism from the league. Then, he suffered a severe injury, even facing life-threatening danger. Yet, those vicious online critics still showed no sympathy, condemning him as karmic retribution.
However, in reality?
Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs’ locker room remained close, that friendly banter and mutual jabs, where was the hatred?
Involuntarily, Watt thought of himself and the Houston Texans. When he returns to Houston, he’s uncertain about what reception he’ll face.
A tumult of mixed feelings surged within.
Li Wei noticed, but it wasn’t the right ti or place, so he said nothing more, just patted Watt’s shoulder, then took back his hand and placed the phone to his ear, “Quiet, everyone quiet, I need to talk to our mother planet.”
Hahaha, laughter erupted.
From the other end ca Alex’s cheerful laughter, “Rookie, you’re still the sa.”
Li Wei, “Of course. Otherwise, what do you expect? For to refuse your call?”
Alex, “To be honest, I thought about that. After all, you’ve made regret twice.”
Li Wei, “Only twice?”
“Ha.” Alex laughed out loud, “Actually, it’s sleepless nights, 365 tis a year in regret.”
Rarely, Alex cracked a joke, indicating a good mood.
Li Wei keenly sensed it, stopping in his tracks, “Captain, I…”
Pausing, Li Wei cautiously continued for a rare mont.
Even now, Li Wei vividly rembered the scene he’d witnessed last year during the off-season when visiting Alex, how it seed a slight pressure might completely crush him. Struggling desperately on the edge of life and death, burning every ounce of energy fighting for each breath.
In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
Perhaps for ordinary people, a year feels weightless, slipping away unnoticed. But for those in the trough of injury, every day, every night is hell, and they won’t use a simple word like “year” to describe it. Instead, it’s an exact “eighteen months.”
Full eighteen months since Alex’s devastating injury, the seasonal cycles have turned a year and a half.
All along, Alex worked tirelessly to return to the field. During the off-season, Li Wei planned to visit Alex, but the pandemic disrupted the plan entirely, leaving only phone calls. At that ti, Alex ntioned his rehabilitation was going smoothly, preparing for his first touch with the ball next month.
Now, “next month” had co.
Li Wei’s heart couldn’t help but fly high, but fearing to voice it due to over-expectation lest hopes shattered again.
Alex chuckled lightly, “Rookie, rarely do I see you so nervous; it’s a pity it can’t be witnessed firsthand, it’s a mont worth commorating.”
Li Wei laughed awkwardly, feeling slightly helpless, “Captain, you’re still in the mood for joking, must be good news, then?”
“Yes.” Alex didn’t continue to keep them in suspense, affirming with his answer.
Li Wei was left stunned.
Alex confird once more, “I’ve returned to the team, we started our training camp today, I completed a full day of practice, including a thirty-minute passing drill. Can you believe it? My passing feels better than before, sharper even.”
Li Wei held his breath, and the next second, raised his voice to shout to his fellow teammates nearby.
“Guys, the captain started passing training today.”
One second, two seconds—
Whoa!
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