Chapter 1057: 1056 Differential Treatment
In just two years, for the Professional League, it's still too short.
Although Li Wei has won the Super Bowl championship for two consecutive years, sweeping the league honors in a dominating manner and becoming the hottest presence in the league; in the NFL, where attrition rates remain high, there is still some distance between Li Wei and the GOAT title.
Even if a quarterback achieves such glory, the media is reluctant to easily bestow this title, let alone a running back?
So, there was a scene during this off-season.
When sponsors flocked towards Li Wei, people said Li Wei was obsessed with money.
When Li Wei participated in different events, people said he was neglecting his main task and becoming a locker room bomb.
When Li Wei signed a record-breaking contract, people said the Kansas City Chiefs should think twice.
Doubt, controversy, and criticism flowed endlessly, perfectly validating the saying that the road to greatness is always filled with thorns and difficulties.
Yet now, the situation is quietly changing—
Indeed, it's just a regular season game, even if the opponent is one of the American League's tridents, the Baltimore Ravens, there's no need to make a fuss.
But the focus is on consistently securing victories with strong and stable performances for three consecutive weeks, completely devoid of the chaos and upheaval of preseason, especially when facing the fierce impact of the Baltimore Ravens, the Kansas City Chiefs still managed to elevate their state, leisurely achieving a complete victory.
One cannot help but be impressed.
"Do you still need me to continue proving myself?"
A rhetorical question from Li Wei truly allowed people to feel the transformation and growth of this young man in a three-year, three-level leap, first showcasing a regal demeanor.
GOAT?
Perhaps we need to wait a bit longer, but if the Kansas City Chiefs can achieve three consecutive championships, then Li Wei should be qualified to challenge the GOAT; but as of now, being the "League's First Man" is already undisputed.
Li Wei has undoubtedly surpassed Brady, becoming the undisputed and unopposed superstar of the NFL, easily drawing all eyes and focus onto himself, seemingly echoing with the stance of "Who but me?":
Thank you, next.
Now, the league is more curious not about whether Li Wei can continue to prove himself, but who could stop Li Wei and the fully upgraded Kansas City Chiefs?
Who would have thought that a running back, who started halfway, is now dominating the league?
The world is indeed changing.
Meanwhile, in the guest team's locker room, there's dead silence.
The entire Baltimore Ravens team remained silent, exceptionally heavy, having come to the away game brimming with confidence, only to leave with their tails between their legs.
This severely impacted the young team's confidence; they could accept losing, but such a painful defeat was truly too dramatic—
Even now, no one dared to face the scoreboard.
After the game, Jackson, who barely managed to regain some confidence, fell back into a shell upon bravely facing Li Wei properly again.
There was no sparkle in his eyes.
This scene, as seen by Harbaugh, was also heavily pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
So, what should be done? The matter is very troublesome.
Losing the game is okay, as the season has just begun. Last season, even in desperate situations, they were still able to rally and make it to the playoffs.
But losing confidence would make the upcoming conditions extremely difficult.
However, compared to his brother Jim Harbaugh, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, John Harbaugh's biggest strength is his skill in handling interpersonal relationships.
Taking a deep breath, Harbaugh raised his voice.
"Everyone, lift your heads up."
"I need you to remember this score, '19:41', firmly memorize it. This is our current strength, but we are neither the Cleveland Browns nor the Arizona Cardinals. Our goal is not even just the playoffs, but the Super Bowl. Without winning the championship, it's a failure."
"So, remember this is the strength that the Kansas City Chiefs have shown us. We have a full five months to catch up to them; the season is just getting started."
"I believe in you; you are far more capable than this. I look forward to seeing you bring surprises again."
"The score of nineteen to forty-one is a disgrace, but it will become a new starting point, launching our journey of conquering the ocean."
Smooth, firm, filled with passion.
The eyes of Baltimore Ravens players were all focused on Harbaugh. They initially thought the coach would be furious, expected him to be utterly disappointed.
However, Harbaugh was not.
Confidence was rekindling in the players' eyes.
Among them, Jackson still struggled somewhat, raising his head, looking nervously at Harbaugh, hesitating for a moment, but ultimately couldn't hold back.
"Coach, can I beat Li Wei?"
This poor child, having consistently lost to Li Wei, now bears a psychological shadow.
Not only in NCAA and NFL games, but this prodigy's life turned complex after encountering Li Wei, from the Heisman Trophy selection, draft experiences, to all facets of life being swept into a storm, and his unwavering confidence started showing a crack.
Furthermore, the crack is growing bigger.
At certain times, Jackson began fearing, fearing that he might become the next Tim Tebow or Johnny Manziel, immersing in the illusion of being The Chosen One, and ultimately turning into the League's laughing stock.
Harbaugh gazed into Jackson's eyes, without hesitation or avoidance, solemnly nodding, "Of course."
Straightforwardly, succinctly.
Like a shot of adrenaline injected into Jackson's veins, he finally regained the confidence of a genius, took a deep breath and stood up, ready—
To face the media.
However, just three minutes later, Jackson regretted it.
The press conference room was packed to the brim with layer upon layer of reporters, even spilling out and filling the corridors, lifting Jackson's spirits.
In the past, it was always the media surrounding Li Wei, and everyone else had to step aside in his presence, with all headlines featuring Li Wei Li Wei Li Wei; but now look, the host team's press conference room seemed quiet while reporters flocked to the guest team's conference room.
At least, Jackson made Li Wei suffer once.
Walking confidently into the press room, Jackson's confidence was instantly tested when the first question fired away made him realize he was still too naive.
The press room packed full may not necessarily be a good thing; it could also be a triple trial.
"Lamar, didn't you say before the game that the Baltimore Ravens were confident in beating the Kansas City Chiefs? What happened with this score?"
"The Baltimore Ravens Defense repeatedly emphasized Li Wei wasn't worth mentioning, yet Li Wei threw and ran for three hundred yards in this game. Do you think this is reasonable?"
"You believe you can beat the Kansas City Chiefs, but now with '19:41', what's your opinion on this score?"
"Before the game, there was a general belief in your top-notch passing and running abilities, yet today the Kansas City Chiefs dismantled the Baltimore Ravens' defense with a Read Option Offense. How do you feel about that?"
"Facing Li Wei, you have not yet won a single game in your professional career. What are your thoughts on that? Do you think you can defeat Li Wei even once in your life?"