Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 783: 782 in a difficult situation
 

“Rookie, do you have a moment?”

The small voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet locker room, to the extent that all the players’ gazes tumultuously gathered around, realizing their action, they hurriedly retracted their gaze and stealthily pricked up their ears, paying attention to the movements over there, involuntarily holding their breath.

After this exchange, the locker room became even quieter.

Li Wei turned, just in time to see Eric Berry’s serene face.

“What’s up?” Li Wei said with a smile, “The Offensive group is having a meeting at my house tonight, and I was about to head home early to set things up.”

Huh.

A collective intake of breath could be heard in the locker room—how had they forgotten about that.

A hint of amusement appeared in Berry’s eyes, “It won’t take long, five minutes should be enough.”

Li Wei nodded, “No problem. Let’s step outside to talk, if we continue to stay here, I’m afraid the locker room will run out of oxygen.”

A jest made Berry laugh out loud—

The faces in the locker room looked at one another, each of them relaxing a little.

Berry inwardly nodded to himself, indeed, Li Wei had now become a leader in the locker room, this young man had grown so much in just two short years.

Li Wei and Berry left the locker room one after another, but the atmosphere inside remained heavy. Jones thought for a moment and walked up to Mahomes.

“Patrick, the funeral… when is it being held?”

Coincidentally, Berry was asking Li Wei the same question.

Li Wei was taken aback, as this was an unexpected question.

Berry explained, “If Mr. and Mrs. Galas don’t mind, I would like to attend the funeral to pay my respects. Maybe, you should pay them a visit.”

The smile at the corners of Li Wei’s mouth revealed a trace of bitterness, “Perhaps they need some time and space. What else can we say if we show up now, other than to offer our condolences and hope for the deceased to rest in peace? We can’t help with anything.”

Berry shook his head gently, “That’s not the case.”

Li Wei didn’t respond.

Berry continued, “I know you think words have no power, and indeed, in the face of death, our words seem pale and weak.”

“The same is true for injuries. When I was struggling with my own body, it was often not something I could just deal with as I wished; I’ve put in enough effort, but the body just wouldn’t listen.”

“Over these two years, my body felt like the Amazon jungle. Sometimes, venomous snakes would emerge, then I’d be chased by Tigers, occasionally things would get a bit better, but then I would fall back into endless darkness.”

“Sometimes it feels like my efforts don’t get me anywhere, or even that I’m continuously falling behind. I don’t know what else I can do, and neither do my doctors or my physical therapists. Besides asking for my patience, they’re useless, merely repeating phrases I already know by heart like a parrot.”

“If someone were to tell me then, ‘You got this! Everything will be okay,’ I’d punch them in the face and tell them to get lost.”

Medically speaking, Berry had recovered, and his body was healthy; but real life isn’t that simple. They aren’t game characters who are 100% healthy once treated. Those injuries and cracks always remain in their bodies, changing them bit by bit.

Berry had resumed training and even tried to rotate into games, including during the division match against the Indianapolis Colts.

However, Berry’s performance was a disaster. It was beyond subpar—he was like a baby who had just learned to walk. Whether it be feel, awareness, or judgement, everything was lagging behind the intensity of the game.

Healing from injuries didn’t mean life could immediately get back on track.

Li Wei looked at Berry, his face filled with horror: What about all those pep talks I gave you?

Berry looked at Li Wei seriously, “I wouldn’t take a swing at you, because I can’t beat you.”

Li Wei let out a long sigh, showing a relieved expression.

Berry’s eyes widened, “How can you just admit to that so calmly?”

Li Wei’s face was the picture of innocence.

Berry couldn’t help but chuckle, no longer kidding around, he brought the topic back on track.

“But still…”

“From a certain point of view, we need those words again.”

“No, it’s not the words, but rather the need to have someone by our side, to fight against the world with us, because relying solely on our own strength, we really can’t do it.”

“Even if those words are light and unforceful, we need you to repeat them tirelessly, a hundred times, a thousand times.”

“If you give up too, I don’t know if I can keep going.”

“It’s the same for Mr. and Mrs. Gallas.”

Saying goodbye to their children is one of life’s innumerable reluctant and heart-wrenching cruelties, and Annie is only eleven years old.

Li Wei couldn’t help but recall Felix’s words—

Annie’s birthday is coming up, but she will never have the chance to celebrate her twelfth birthday.

Berry observed Li Wei’s expression carefully, hesitating a moment.

“And…”

“I know you look normal today, but this kind of normal is exactly not normal. Today should be abnormal.”

Seeing Li Wei trying to argue, Berry shook his head and raised his hand to stop him.

“I understand, you are the captain now, you need to show your strength, you need to shoulder that pressure, so you can’t reveal your vulnerability in the team.”

“But it’s also okay to grieve, to be vulnerable. You are not a superhero, nor should you be one.”

“Li Wei, you need comfort too.”

His voice quietly permeated the air, and the tumultuous thoughts slowly settled.

Yet, Li Wei remained unchanged.

Berry let out a soft sigh; Li Wei needed time and space, and it wasn’t something that could be resolved with a few words.

“So, you should go see Mr. and Mrs. Gallas. As you try to comfort them, they too can comfort you. You need to do this.”

Li Wei looked at Berry, his face filled with astonishment.

Berry didn’t say much more but looked toward the field in the distance, exhaling deeply.

“Ah, who knows how many more games I can play at Arrowhead Stadium. This weekend, I really hope to be on the field.”

Between his words, a hint of reluctance seeped through.

Li Wei understood immediately: Berry was contemplating his retirement.

Whether willing to admit it or not, the reality was brutally clear in front of him. Although Berry had spent two years overcoming his injury and finally making a return to the field; age and injuries were still devastating his game.

Even if Berry could continue to hang on in the games, what dignity would remain?

This was too cruel.

Two years, nearly two years of countless struggles, efforts, and perseverance, but in the end, the result was still a sigh-inducing one, with Berry unable even to start as a first-string for the Kansas City Chiefs again.

So, what were those two years for?

Berry turned around, and immediately noticed Li Wei’s expression, struggling for words, “It’s rare to see you at a loss for words.”

Li Wei tugged at the corner of his mouth, “Can’t help it, I’m not good with words.”

“Haha,” Berry laughed heartily, “Actually, I knew two years ago, even with rehabilitation, even if I recovered from the injury, there were no guarantees. No one could assure I would return to my peak, nor could anyone ensure I could continue to play.”

“It was all my choice.”

“See, I understand all that, but…”

Taking a deep breath, Berry shouted towards the field.

“Not satisfied, damn it, I’m really not satisfied.”