Chapter 850: 849 Refuse to Admit Defeat Chapter 850: 849 Refuse to Admit Defeat During the 2018 season, Houston struggled constantly, wavering between ups and downs; even at its best, the performance still felt chaotic and disjointed.
Li Wei had always been aware of this.
But Houston had never talked to Li Wei about his considerations of retiring.
Within the team, Berry’s absence left Houston as the only pillar among the senior players. Even with Li Wei’s rapid development and Kelsey’s growing reliability, Houston remained the unshakable cornerstone.
Clearly, there were some burdens Houston still carried alone.
Berry glanced at Li Wei, silently asking with his eyes: Did you know?
Li Wei shook his head slightly.
Houston didn’t notice. Immersed in his own thoughts, he poured out a torrent of emotions and ideas.
Because finally, he could say it out loud.
“Back then, I seriously thought, damn it, I’ve had enough of this life. Once the season’s over, I’ll go home, lounge on the sofa, eat and drink till I die. I won’t train anymore, I won’t endure all this torment ever again.”
“During the last game, playing until the very end, lying on the ground unable to even move a finger, I just couldn’t accept it. I felt stifled.”
“I still want to keep running. I still want to chase Brady all over the field. I still want to fight tooth and nail with those guys till the very end.”
“Why should Brady still be jumping around out there—someone so despicable yet hailed as the League’s hero? Just because he has enough championship rings to do as he pleases without facing consequences, I should be the one to retire and enjoy old age?”
“I won’t make it easy for him.”
“So, to hell with retirement. I’ll keep going, unwavering and relentless, just like Annie Galas. Right?”
After speaking, Houston glanced at Li Wei, a faint smile flashing in his eyes. Without pausing, he turned to Berry, and the two exchanged a look.
Compared to the darkness they had faced, words seemed light, feather-like, devoid of weight. But having endured storms and trials, just like Kansas City greeting the sunshine anew, they rediscovered their belief and courage.
That, was the only thing that mattered.
Houston let out a smile and shouted loudly.
“So, who’s ready? We’ve got one more Super Bowl waiting for us.”
Berry gently lifted his head, looked toward Li Wei, and also raised his voice high, “Rookie, the man who collapsed last game is throwing down the gauntlet—how about we teach him a lesson or two?”
Before Li Wei could respond, Houston protested, “Shut up, Eric. You’re not up for it. You can’t do it. A man who just spouts nonsense can’t get it done.”
“Hey, I was just joking. Why so sensitive—could it be you really can’t handle it?”
“Oh, you don’t believe me? Come on, try me, try me!”
Laughter swirled over the training field.
When Reed arrived at the training ground, he didn’t hide his surprise—
Pressure, adversity, exhaustion, all these problems were undeniable realities. It wasn’t just the players; even Reed himself had sleepless nights.
The stress of defending the championship far exceeded expectations, and the toll of the long season combined with fierce competition continued to pile on. After surviving the last breathtaking, roller-coaster game, the team, from top to bottom, was worn out.
It wasn’t as simple as enduring one stormy winter match.
The pressure of the final game of the season had been ratcheted up to the limit.
This year was different from last year. Last season, they were the underdog—the role of pursuers and challengers—and they could risk it all without any baggage. That’s how they teamed up with the Philadelphia Eagles to produce a brilliant game.
But this year, not only were they defending champions, but they were also the League’s number-one seed. As a so-called powerhouse, they had become the team to beat, allowing the Los Angeles Rams to lower their stance and make their challenge. This meant they had transformed into the role of front-runners.
The circumstances were entirely different. Just look at their performance in the first half of the conference championship game. It might not be entirely fair to call it disastrous, but it was certainly an abnormal display. The pressure awaiting at the Super Bowl would only continue to mount, presenting an even tougher challenge.
Because of this, Reed wanted the players to relax, to balance work and rest. Sharpening the axe before chopping wood—it wasn’t necessary to rush.
Yet, on the first day of recovery training, as Reed arrived at the training ground, the team was already mostly assembled. It looked like they had finished their warm-ups and were engaged in fundamental recovery training. The level of enthusiasm was beyond expectations.
If that were all, it would only be a minor surprise—not enough to make Reed truly astonished. After all, over the past two years, thanks to Li Wei and Mahomes leading by example, the team atmosphere had quietly shifted—
Maybe Li Wei had once again stirred up positivity in the locker room?
But what lay before him was not just an early arrival at the training ground. There was a palpable, easygoing, and carefree energy lingering in the air.
It wasn’t the kind of loud laughter or jovial camaraderie; everything felt simple and light, calm but harmonious, orderly yet tranquil. This quiet, serene scene subtly eased the strained nerves.
Not the calm before the storm, but a self-contained composure when completely focused.
Such a state was rare, and it was precisely the dream-like scenario desired before a decisive battle.
Reed had been racking his brain, pondering how to help the team adjust. For a game of this magnitude, psychological preparation was even more critical than tactical planning. Yet he hadn’t anticipated that the issue would resolve itself… ?
It was hard to believe.
So, what exactly happened?
Standing at the edge of the field, Reed quietly observed—
These two locker-room leaders had both undergone their defining moments during the conference championship, one fighting with all his might and collapsing on the field but still refusing to surrender, and the other emerging from a long, dark era to finally claim the spotlight on his dream stage. At this moment, the conviction they emanated had become the team’s stabilizing force.
This was a good sign.
However, as Reed continued his observation, he noticed both Houston and Berry instinctively focusing on Li Wei, with a subtle yet powerful sense of connection gradually converging toward him.
Reed was slightly taken aback—not because Li Wei lacked leadership qualities, but because of his youth—
Li Wei had yet to face the trials of age and injury, especially considering his transition to football in just three short years, during which he had already achieved brilliance others couldn’t imagine over their entire careers. Such a prodigy often embodied more arrogance and confidence, without the tempering of thorns or the grind of reality.
So, how had Houston and Berry found resonance in Li Wei?
This wasn’t merely a simple shift in locker-room leadership.
Then, a figure emerged in Reed’s mind: Annie Galas.
As Reed watched Li Wei immerse himself fully in training, Annie and Li Wei’s spirits seemed to merge unknowingly, resilient and strong.
Reed had a premonition. Though the NFL was a professional league, and ultimately everything boiled down to business, they couldn’t afford too much sentiment within the team. But this Kansas City Chiefs team seemed to be forging a unique kind of strength called “team spirit.”