Chapter 350: 349 Heart Soaring
"Oh, Cornerback Ryan tries to tackle!"
"Li Wei, with a back slam, not only withstands the opponent's rush, but also amazingly uses it as leverage to charge towards Lineman Williamson."
"Williamson!"
"Oh, disaster."
"Williamson had no idea what kind of beast he was facing, as he was directly knocked flying, posing no threat to Li Wei at all."
"Li Wei advances!"
"Two safeties from the Tennessee Titans quickly catch up, attempting to encircle him!"
"Danger!"
The passionate commentary from the car radio created an immersive experience, causing Provos's heart to uncontrollably rise to his throat, almost leaping out, his hands tightly gripping the steering wheel.
"Kelsey! Kelsey clears the block!"
"Hill has caught up too."
"The Kansas Chiefs Offense, united in purpose, is clearing a path for Li Wei."
"Li Wei! Byrd!"
"Byrd! Li Wei!"
"Hill fails to stop Byrd, Byrd is about to collide with Li Wei."
"Straight Arm Block!"
"God, the Straight Arm Block! Li Wei uses a Straight Arm Block to knock Byrd aside."
"Clear path ahead!"
"Charge, Li Wei, soar, straight towards the end zone with nothing in your way."
"Li Wei! Li Wei! Li Wei!"
Twenty-five!
Twenty!
The uniform and deafening support from the Arrowhead Chiefs comes through the radio; Provos knows what those numbers represent—
the yard lines on the field.
Li Wei, sprinting, carrying the hopes of the entire Kansas City as he dashes frantically.
Provos could almost see the burning figure of number twenty-three. He had given up before, thinking if there was no hope, there would be no disappointment; but now, Li Wei hadn't given up, the Kansas Chiefs hadn't given up.
They are still fighting, still striving.
Uncontrollably, Provos's once still and silent heart revived.
He closed his eyes, envisioning the current scene at Arrowhead Stadium, murmuring along with the cheers.
Fifteen!
Ten!
Five!
Bit by bit, his heart soared high, his blood rushed from his soles to his crown, joy and excitement almost permeating his entire body.
The next second, boom!
An explosion.
"Touchdown!"
"Touchdown, that's a touchdown, an undoubtedly perfect touchdown!"
"Okalapo has caught Li Wei, he has tackled and completed an over-the-shoulder throw, but Li Wei astonishingly recovers his balance, not only breaking free from Okalapo but also shaking off three tackles, riding solo and delivering a penetrating blow, capping this offensive drive with a touchdown."
"God, the Kansas Chiefs reverse!"
"The Kansas Chiefs stage a last-moment major turnaround!"
Ah!
Provos suddenly raises his arms high, spontaneously cheering.
His hands immediately crash into the car roof, slightly painful, he quickly pulls them back, uproarious cheers erupt from the Old Oak Tavern, and the whole world seems to shake, and it's not until Provos comes back to his senses that he realizes:
Tears streamed down his face.
His heart was beating wildly; so vivid and clear was this sensation that the hot blood flowing through his veins reminded him that he was still alive. This was the true temperature of life.
Ah!
Arrowhead Stadium was ablaze.
Li Wei was exhausted. He had entered the end zone practically rolling, and at this moment, he didn't even have the energy to shout in celebration; he just quietly watched the flames burning fiercely before him.
This was the most beautiful and most magical moment in sports—
Closely related to victory yet not about victory at all.
It was a spirit, a belief: challenging opponents, pushing limits, climbing peaks, finding one's own and humanity's limits in the clash of titans.
The entire stadium's eyes were fixed on Li Wei's shoulders.
Then, they sung in unison.
"He is here, he is there, he is everywhere. He is the Edgerunner, Li Wei Li Wei Li Wei!"
Over and over again!
At this moment, Arrowhead Stadium was also at Li Wei's feet, offering him worship.
Hill involuntarily looked up at the splendid red ocean before him, flashing back to the University of Alabama, where he had also made the Crimson Tide Storm cheer for him countless times; now once again at Arrowhead Stadium, he witnessed it firsthand, feeling his blood uncontrollably boiling.
Finally, his gaze fell upon Li Wei.
He wasn't cheering or celebrating; he just sat on the ground hugging his knees, but the entire stadium was going mad for him, like a volcanic eruption.
Who could resist such a moment?
In front of the TV screen.
The players of the Crimson Tide Storm were howling and jumping up and down, high-fiving and bumping shoulders, their celebrations in no way inferior to those of the home fans.
Saban stared at the screen, observing the Kansas Chiefs Offense players swarming around Li Wei, and a bold idea suddenly sprung up—was it for moments like this that Reed had boldly traded up to pick Li Wei third overall?
"Burns, you might have really unearthed a treasure."
Burns: ??? Wasn't this matter already decided? He knew his ability to spot talent, so was there any need to repeat it?
Perhaps the only exception in the midst of the heatwave was—
Mulkai.
While everyone celebrated Li Wei's incredible performance, Mulkai felt destiny clenching his throat and immediately sought out the referees.
If possible, Mulkai would have chosen the red flag challenge one hundred percent of the time; he believed that when Okalapo tackled Li Wei, Li Wei's knee had touched the ground, constituting a dead ball, so all subsequent progress should be discounted.
But he couldn't.
According to the rules, after a two-minute official time-out, head coaches were not allowed to challenge with the red flag; instead, the referees would decide on their own whether to review the footage to verify the call.
Nevertheless, Mulkai still needed to voice his position, emphasizing his stance.
The referees urged Mulkai to calm down, informing him that the referee team had already decided to review the footage, not just for Li Wei but also for other possible infractions.
Playoffs, a do-or-die battle, no room for errors.
Thus, the rhythm of the game was disrupted at the most tense, thrilling, and climactic moment—
Welcome to the playoffs.
The referee team urgently reviewed the video, and the broadcast booth also followed suit with play-back analysis. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
But for Reed, it was just right.
The final offensive drive was rushed; they had no chance to plan their tactics, only supported by sheer belief. Now, taking the opportunity of video review, Reed immediately called Smith to the sidelines and, with Nagy's assistance, laid out plans for the remainder of the game:
Two-point conversion.
Reed wasn't worried about the video review at all; he was one hundred percent certain of Li Wei's touchdown—
Even if there was a problem, the Kansas Chiefs had no way back; they must continue the offense, try a field goal after running down the clock.
However, Reed had already calculated ahead. Even if Li Wei's touchdown was confirmed, the game wasn't over; they needed to keep control of the offensive in their hands, prevent Mariota and Henry from returning, and further build pressure on the score, ultimately pushing the Tennessee Titans to the brink.
Thus, the Kansas Chiefs would challenge a two-point conversion.
Reed, Nagy, and Smith made full use of the brief time to swiftly plan their tactics.
Seven seconds, only seven seconds left until the end of the game.