Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 770: 769 Sober Human World
 

“Throughout the entire Deflategate investigation, the New England Patriots consistently claimed their innocence; coupled with the league’s ambiguous investigation report refusing to provide a definite answer, supporters of Brady always believed their idol was innocent.”

This incident, undoubtedly, took the New England Patriots a step further on their path to becoming the League’s Public Enemy of Everyone.

It wasn’t until 2024, at a roast with Netflix where others joked about Deflategate, that Brady himself quipped, “…they could have given me twenty million US dollars, and I would have admitted it.”

Though it was a joke, considering Brady had retired and had never faced any real punishment, it’s undeniable that this statement left much room for interpretation, and by then, the now-enlightened fans expressed their belief that Brady was essentially admitting his involvement in the scandal.

However, it was futile, as the league could not change the outcome of that conference final.

So, when Li Wei jokingly said, “Even appealing won’t help,” Luck instantly understood.

Over the years, new grievances and old grudges continuously accumulated, and McDaniels’s breach of trust further turned the Indianapolis Colts into a laughing stock of the league.

The entire season, the Indianapolis Colts were holding their breath—

Advancing to the playoffs, defeating Belichick, to prove their excellence.

That was the goal, and it was the mission.

Despite the setbacks, the hurdles, and nearly missing the playoffs; they still managed to fight through, carving out a chance for life, and just as they were about to face the New England Patriots, they tragically fell at the final hurdle, losing without showing any trace of temper.

Indeed, the loss was bitter; but compared to that, the hatred ran deeper.

Now, the hope and responsibility fell on the shoulders of the Kansas City Chiefs.

From Leonard to Luck, every player of the Indianapolis Colts felt this way.

All the way to Richie.

After shaking hands with Reed and Mahomes, Richie immediately found Li Wei in the crowd.

Standing in front of Li Wei, countless thoughts surged in his mind, but in the end, all those words condensed into that simple phrase.

“Beat the Pats.”

After saying that, Richie himself couldn’t help but laugh helplessly.

“In fact, I should thank McDaniel,” he said, “without his betrayal, I wouldn’t have received the call, and I wouldn’t have gotten this job.”

“But…” he was now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, he shared the same sentiment as the whole team and the whole city.

So—

“Beat the Pats.”

All those tangled emotions, those heavy burdens, those inextricable historical grievances, ultimately, they all evolved into a brief and clear phrase.

Of course, the Indianapolis Colts hoped to achieve the feat of defeating the New England Patriots themselves: revenge would be more meaningful if acted on their own; but now with the dream shattered, as a next best thing, the Indianapolis Colts at least hoped to beat their opponents who would continue to defeat the New England Patriots.

Not just the players, not just the coaches, at this moment, Indianapolis Colts fans heading to Arrowhead Stadium and those die-hard fans back in Indianapolis, all simultaneously shouted the same phrase.

Beat the Pats.

One voice, then another.

One after another.

Suddenly, it merged into a massive chorus that even overshadowed the victory celebrations of the Kansas City Chiefs’ own fans, echoing long and loud.

Unexpectedly, Felix, Annie, and all were dumbfounded.

This was a scene completely unforeseen.

Everyone knows, the game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Chargers hadn’t even started, the outcome was unknown; maybe the Los Angeles Chargers had defeated the New England Patriots, right? Maybe the Los Angeles Chargers had already solved the problem before the Kansas City Chiefs stepped in, right?

However, that’s not the point, the real point is—

Whether it’s the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional playoffs or the Kansas City Chiefs in the conference finals, whoever it may be, as long as they can defeat the New England Patriots, that would be great.

“Public Enemy of Everyone”, this title exclusive to the New England Patriots isn’t for nothing.

Look, the second game of the American League divisional playoffs hadn’t even begun, and already the smoke of battle had spread.

At the post-game press conference, reporters unsurprisingly threw out this question, asking for Li Wei’s thoughts.

Li Wei shrugged lightly, smiling, “I thought we were the biggest target this season, but now it seems, our good self-perception should be curtailed a bit.”

One second, two seconds, three seconds—

The whole room burst into laughter.

Li Wei meant that the defending champions should be the targets everyone wants to beat, but now it seems, the Public Enemy of Everyone is bigger than the defending champion.

After a minor jest, Li Wei continued, “Of course, that’s the target.”

“We’ll start with a small goal, one game at a time, take it slow. Surely, in the upcoming game whether we face the Los Angeles Chargers or the New England Patriots, we are likely to be the underdogs, right?”

“After all, they have both defeated us this season. Thus, I’ll be focusing on the next divisional game, hoping it gets even more intense, while I lay on the couch, with a beer, popcorn, and pizza, and no one is allowed to disturb my day off.”

Haha, the laughter was like thunder.

Li Wei was still Li Wei, always able to find a light angle in his ordinary words.

Then, a reporter asked.

“People think that you have the best chance to defeat the New England Patriots, what do you think?”

Li Wei, “I disagree.”

Reporter: ???

Out of the blue, Li Wei decisively negated it, taking everyone by surprise.

Li Wei continued, “Hey guys, the New England Patriots are a great team, no doubt; but so are other teams, the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, and so on, I think each playoff game has its variables and infinite possibilities.”

“I know we are a great team, but we’re not the only one.”

Actually, Li Wei’s intention was to alleviate the pressure on the Kansas City Chiefs while also avoiding mythologizing the New England Patriots because he knew the nature of the media—

Next, they would surely build up the potential confrontation of “New England Patriots vs Kansas City Chiefs” with full force, focusing on the aspect of market promotion and commercial marketing rather than from the perspective of the game itself, and the League would also add fuel to the fire, blowing up the attention completely.

But the last thing the Kansas City Chiefs needed now was pressure because they had already put a lot on themselves.

However, to everyone’s surprise, the media interpreted Li Wei’s response in an entirely different way, opposite of his initial intentions.

“Respecting the opponent is the first step to becoming a strong competitor.”

“A moment of clarity in humanity, calm and collected—at the peak, Li Wei still maintains reason.”

“Applauding opponents like the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, and others, Li Wei shows the demeanor of a great general.”

“Brees: I think Li Wei has truly become a leader.”

Wait a minute, something seems a bit off, doesn’t it?