Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 53: 053 Fame rising rapidly

"Yo, yo, yo."

Li Wei and Jacobs had only just approached when the players from Crimson Tide Storm began to tease and make a racket. The two, not knowing why, looked over, and it was Clark who eagerly explained.

"They're betting on who will be the headliner on tomorrow's 'Crimson Tide White Wave' front page."

'Crimson Tide White Wave' is the University of Alabama's school newspaper, and from its name, it's clear that it carries on the school's tradition as a sports powerhouse, providing comprehensive coverage of the school's athletic teams' performances in various NCAA events.

Although today was just a warm-up match, there was no doubt it would spark a heated discussion, not just on campus, but likely throughout the whole town as well.

"I'm voting for Foster, intercepting Watson, changing the course of the game."

"Hey, have you considered Allen's feelings, who missed sacking Watson?"

The named Allen silently raised his middle finger, followed by laughter all around.

"I'm voting for Li Wei. Li Wei is a beast, an absolute beast. Hey, buddy, I really don't mean you're worse than a pig or dog, really."

"Haha."

The laughter was wild, and before Li Wei could speak, the chattering words couldn't be held back.

"Exactly, exactly, a ground advance of three hundred yards? That's just savage."

"Did you guys see the expressions of the Tigers Defense Squad? It was hilarious."

"No, no, no, those weren't Tigers, those were sick cats."

Everyone burst into collective laughter.

Their gazes gradually turned toward Li Wei, who nonchalantly shrugged, "They can't stop me; I really do feel anxious for them."

Whistles, jeers, and cheers followed one after another.

Having said that, Li Wei also offered a smile, "Guys, I get what you're trying to do, just using me as a shield to draw the fire and pave the way for Hertz and Beteman. I understand the principle, 'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,' so I'll just suffer and wear it for a while."

The laughter erupted like thunder.

Then someone called out Hertz, who had been quietly standing in the crowd, suddenly pushed into the spotlight, his expression somewhat helpless—

As a quarterback, he should have been the leader shouldering the team's progress. In the NFL, quarterbacks are undeniably the superstars, always standing at the center of attention, but in today's game, the quarterback had become just a supporting player.

With a face of honest loyalty, Hertz said, "I also think it should be Li Wei."

Li Wei waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, no, I think tomorrow's front page should feature you."

Everyone: ??? Has Li Wei lost his mind?

Even Hertz looked utterly astonished.

Li Wei continued, "A shutout in the first half despite overwhelming strength, those who doubted the Crimson Tide Storm offensive group must have been shocked."

Ha ha, ha ha ha.

Seeing Li Wei's dead serious expression, the laughter grew even more insane and enthusiastic.

Hertz included.

Initially, Hertz had felt a bit down. After all, he was just a high school student, and his first performance representing the Crimson Tide Storm had been so poor. He kept feeling that the sneaky glances and quiet whispers were everywhere, and the pressure was immense.

Now, as the veil was lifted, Hertz was able to relax slightly. Facing failure and adversity openly was the only way to muster the courage to learn from mistakes and grow and improve—

Raising his head to look at Li Wei, then he could see Li Wei giving him a thumbs-up and a smile, mouthing a word at him.

"Team."

They were a team, achieving victory as a team and facing defeat as a team too.

Soon after, Humphrey, Beteman, and others bustled around Li Wei, but Hertz had completely relaxed and found his smile once again.

Even if he were to be tomorrow's front-page headline in "Crimson Tide White Wave," that would be okay, he was ready, just as Li Wei had just said:

To wear the crown, one must bear its weight.

He should hold his head high and face the challenge with confidence.

It was at that moment that a cheer pierced the sky, interrupting Hertz's thoughts.

"Ah! Li Wei!"

Bryant Denny Stadium was still noisy, but that cheer, sharp as a spike piercing through a burlap bag, instantly drew the eyes of the bustling crowd with its penetrating volume.

Not just Hertz, but the players of the Crimson Tide Storm Team turned their heads towards the source of the noise, where, with just a glance, you could see a dozen girls waving their white jerseys—a sight that easily caught the eye amidst the vast sea of red.

"Li Wei!"

"Li Wei! I love you!"

"Ahhh!"

The mixed shouts intertwined, and when Li Wei, baffled, looked up, a splendid ray of the setting sun delicately fell upon his face, and at that instant, the cheers broke free of their reins and spun out of control.

One octave, two octaves, three octaves—

They burst forth with unbelievable energy.

To a frenzied extent.

Li Wei: ?

Li Wei still thought he was a nobody, having joined the Crimson Tide Storm for just three weeks, he guessed that people hardly knew how to pronounce his name right; but Li Wei forgot, this was the University of Alabama, this was Tuscaloosa, where football held an unimaginable status.

Last time, during an intra-team match of the Crimson Tide Storm, Li Wei had conquered the fans with his unparalleled performance; and today, he once again dominated the game, changing his status with every step he took.

And that wasn't all.

The other fans around, noticing the commotion, the burly men too gathered on both sides of the player's tunnel, frantically pounding on the advertising boards to create a thunderous noise, shouting with fervent and distorted faces.

"Li Wei! Li Wei! Li Wei!"

The chants were ragged and interspersed, but the scorching, burning momentum was exceptionally unified, coalescing into a force that, swept up by the vast sunset sky and the vast Crimson Tide Storm, crashed down overwhelmingly.

Wave after wave.

One crest higher than the last.

Even Allen, the slick veteran who touted himself as having weathered many storms, was taken aback by the sight of such fervent enthusiasm up close.

Clearly, the answer to who would be tomorrow's front-page headline of "Crimson Tide White Wave" was unveiled.

The fact was just so—

"The successor to Emperor Henry Derrick? No, he is Li Wei, a unique and incomparable 'Edgerunner'."

Front page, headline news.

"Crimson Tide White Wave" featured a photo of Li Wei sprinting at high speed along the sideline for its front-page headline, filling the entire page, with all other people and scenery blurred into trailing lights, showcasing the ultimate in speed; and used the nickname mentioned by Pash and Blackley during the live broadcast as the title, officially announcing Li Wei's debut with the Crimson Tide Storm.

Whether or not people had seen the practice or warm-up matches, what was certain was that everyone now knew a bright comet had made its entrance with the Crimson Tide Storm.

Derrick Henry's powerful performance had made the Crimson Tide Storm shine for the past two years, securing the second Heisman Trophy in the history of the University of Alabama after running back Mark Ingram II (Mark-Ingram) in 2009; but with Henry turning pro, who would unfurl the banner of the Crimson Tide Storm's excellent ground attack tradition became without a doubt the biggest question of the new season.

Maybe, now they've found the answer?

At least, that's what the editorial department of "Crimson Tide White Wave" thought.

And ESPN concurred!