Chapter 1287: Indomitable Fighting Spirit
Quietly, Thalia stood on tiptoe, focusing intently on Li Wei in the end zone, unconsciously holding her breath.
The game was over; however, Arrowhead Stadium did not immediately celebrate.
Quite the opposite, the entire venue held its breath, all was silent, and they were waiting, they were brewing, because they knew better than anyone else what this tumultuous and magnificent season had been through to get to this point from the overwhelming doubts and controversies of the preseason.
Rivers was stunned.
What was going on? Were the Kansas City Chiefs not going to celebrate?
Rivers looked past Li Wei's back, observing that the Los Angeles Chargers players didn't seem too disappointed or regretful, as if they had already anticipated such an outcome, turning away with a sense of relief; yet all Kansas City Chiefs players were gathering towards Li Wei.
Not only the Offensive group, but also the Defensive group and the Special Duty Group, all swarming over.
So, was the celebration finally coming? Were they going to lift Li Wei up high and throw him into the air? Or maybe pile up on him like a human pyramid?
However, none of that happened.
Kansas City Chiefs players gradually arrived at the end zone, but instead of swarming forward, they stood scattered at the back, gazing at Li Wei with bright eyes.
At the front, Li Wei placed the football in front of him, then lifted both hands high.
"Clap! Bang!"
Two claps, one jump.
"Clap! Bang!"
Determined and focused, passionate and strong.
One by one, Kansas City Chiefs players joined Li Wei, clapping and jumping.
In a rare scene, Veach and Reed also led the coaches and team staff to line up along the field's boundary, facing the stands with their backs to the field, surrounding the entire field, then together joining Li Wei.
"Clap! Bang!"
No words, no cheers, no screams, no sound, only the sound of clapping and the vibration of footsteps striking the ground, intertwining and spreading, a surging tide of emotions gradually expanding.
Yet, no further explanation was needed; Arrowhead Stadium could already understand tacitly.
One, followed by another, and then another.
The entire audience joined Li Wei, responding with action.
In no time, it spread across the field.
Thalia watched this scene with her heart surging, unable to hold back tears.
Finally, Li Wei, who had been suppressing, restraining, and escaping, finally allowed a crack in his invincible armor to reveal his true emotions.
A perfect-season, just the first goal, for Felix.
Now, here, at this moment, was a tribute to Felix.
Not just Felix, but also Annie Galas, and the countless residents of Kansas City, and the innumerable ordinary people facing their own battles—
Life is full of setbacks and surprises, tumultuous waves that never cease, each person has their own challenges and battles, their own nightmares and despair. Perhaps the Kansas City Chiefs cannot fight these battles for them, but they can light a glimmer of hope, guiding them forward in the endless darkness.
Refuse to give up, refuse to surrender, fight to the end!
Just like Annie and Felix.
"Clap! Bang!"
The air currents, growing ever more turbulent, filling the entire Arrowhead Stadium.
Karen, Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Galas, West, and Prest, all without exception, whether in Arrowhead Stadium, or in corners of Kansas City, or scattered around the world, whoever was watching on TV or computer at this moment—
Without exception.
Clapping, jumping, feeling with their bodies, responding with their bodies.
And then, evolving into part of this frenzy.
Including the live studio.
Stunned, speechless, one by one losing their capacity to think.
Although eager and impassioned; as professional commentators maintaining neutrality, they couldn't join this nationwide frenzy.
Words, so pale and powerless, were inadequate to express even a fraction of the magnificence of the scene, only by being truly amidst it could one feel it, and stand before the universe deeply aware of one's own smallness.
Uncontrollably, teary eyes.
When the entire League closely watched the Kansas City Chiefs write history again by completing a perfect-season, after achieving consecutive championships and an incredible season, the Chiefs undoubtedly established a new dynasty in the League.
Numerous records, numerous histories, numerous glories, all rewritten in this battle, twelve years after the New England Patriots' 2007 feat, a Zodiac cycle, the Kansas City Chiefs once again wrote a miracle.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs did not care.
The Chiefs' attention and spirit were entirely focused on Felix.
Some might say, just another fan, no need to make a fuss, there are at least thousands like Felix, didn't the Chiefs face a similar situation last year?
Annie Galas?
Every fan has their own story. If the Kansas City Chiefs had to pay tribute every time an accident or misfortune happened, it would be endless, merely a PR activity, just for show.
Clearly, the Kansas City Chiefs did not think so.
Fans shouldn't be attracted only by victory, they should build connection through the team and city, players aren't merely pieces for victory, and fans are not just a goldmine for jerseys and tickets; they are lives, connected by the team and games, from practice to competition to life itself, intertwined entirely.
Regardless of victory or defeat, highs or lows, they face it hand in hand, supporting and achieving each other.
Annie or Felix, they aren't just symbols or labels, or PR strategies for charitable activities. They put all their dreams and hopes on the Kansas City Chiefs, emitting the warmth of life—
This is the secret behind the miraculous feats the Kansas City Chiefs have created over the past three seasons.
"Clap! Bang!"
Two claps, one jump.
Such a simple action, yet it carried the heartbeat, boiling blood, and burning soul.
They were ready, after the perfect season, to march towards the next goal, united in the name of Felix.
Three-peat!
In the bustling, vigorous, and lively atmosphere under the afternoon sky of Arrowhead Stadium and Kansas City, the rolling heat waves surged, and the sprawling orange-red sunset ignited the pale blue sky.
They weren't celebrating the perfect season, but celebrating Felix's life, short yet brilliant, more dazzling and radiant than those who drift aimlessly in numbness, illuminating the path forward.
This was indeed a moment recorded in history, not merely because of the perfect season's feat, but because of a boy named Felix Gray.
That boy, his life forever halted at seventeen, never reaching adulthood, forever in bloom, following the steps of the Kansas City Chiefs in another manner, striding forward together, boundlessly flowing.