Dominate the Super Bowl

Li Wei left.

Saban stood at the office window, watching Li Wei's receding figure, and noticed Clark approaching head-on to enthusiastically greet him.

It seemed they must have arranged to meet in advance for some training, with Clark serving as Li Wei's training partner, and Li Wei had already started his preparations for the draft.

Once players enter the Professional League, their fates slip out of the head coach's control; after all, the Professional League is a game of capital, where individual power is ultimately insignificant in front of vast capital. And now, from the NFL to the NCAA, the plight of running backs is just the same from the top down.

Last year, Saban worried about Derrick Henry—and sure enough, Henry hit the rookie wall, not showing much performance during his rookie season.

This year, Saban was beginning to worry about Li Wei.

But this time, Saban had a hunch, a premonition that Li Wei's NFL career might be slightly different; now, as a football enthusiast rather than a coach, he was quietly observing the development of events and the march of history, fortunate to be able to watch from up close.

The second act of the battle had just begun.

...

On the training field, dull thuds and rapid breathing intertwined, finally ending another set of exercises, and Clark collapsed to the ground.

He looked up, seeing Li Wei's relaxed face as he pressed his legs to stretch and relax his muscles; Clark couldn't help chuckling to himself, "We're all humans, so why is the gap between people so pronounced?"

A pause.

"Oh, sorry, my bad, you're not human; you're a beast. A beast."

Clark's muttering to himself made Li Wei turn his head, "Master, have you finally learned how to joke?"

That tone was clearly teasing Clark for his lack of humor.

Clark rubbed his head and let out a sheepish chuckle, his mood settling slowly among the heated breathing, "Huh, I wonder how Josh's check-up is going."

Jacobs went to the hospital for a follow-up today.

In competitive sports, knee injuries are always one of the most complex and troublesome issues. From football to basketball, volleyball, tennis, and more, countless athletes have sunk into obscurity due to knee injuries, and football is no exception. Jacobs' situation was truly concerning.

Bringing up this issue made Li Wei's mood also darken, but he took a deep breath, "The testing in Tampa Bay before was positive; the doctors said it might take three to six months. Today is a follow-up, a further detailed check-up; we should maintain a positive belief."

Turning back, Li Wei looked at Clark, "Master, don't worry, he won't give up easily, he's always fighting, he's stronger than any of us, and even if he's alone, he's still persisting, still striving. His professional career has just begun, and he will fight to the end."

Clark inhaled deeply and nodded emphatically, "He has his battles, and you have yours; you're both persevering."

"So am I."

There was a pause, and Clark, who thought everything would be very simple and easy, and had already made his decision, with no need to dither, found his heart pounding at the last moment, a rush of indescribable sourness and bitterness converging at the bridge of his nose.

However, Clark did not back down.

He lifted his head, bathed in the sunlight, looking towards Li Wei.

"At the end of next season, I will officially leave football."

The words were finally said, the heavy stone weighing on his chest was lifted, and he couldn't help but exhale deeply.

"This probably doesn't count as retirement, since I never really had a professional career," Clark said, masking his sigh with a beaming smile.

Li Wei blinked, but he tasted too many complex flavors in Clark's casual tone—

The cruelty of competitive sports included Jacobs' injuries, Clark's helplessness, and the reality Li Wei would soon face.

Li Wei's mouth curved into a faint smile, "Master, by saying that, how many players' professional careers have you vetoed in the NCAA? After all, not everyone can become a nationwide champion, nor can everyone score the winning touchdown at the final moment."

Clark was also stunned, then laughed lightly, "Right? Then let's make it official, I will retire at the end of next season."

Even though Li Wei wanted to persuade Clark to try harder and fight a bit more, the words never left his lips, because he believed that no one would regret, wrestle with, or be more reluctant about this decision than Clark, with all the sighs and loneliness hidden behind his smile.

Unwarned, the word "graduation" hit them hard.

The day they graduated from college, they would leave the ivory tower of school, each heading in their own direction, embarking on a new journey—this is where life truly began.

Li Wei looked at Clark, "Do you have any ideas for your next step after retirement?"

Clark sat cross-legged on the ground, his mood slightly relaxed, "Not for the moment. I'm considering becoming a real estate agent, or perhaps learning a trade, like auto repair or plumbing."

Li Wei, "What about your college major, Master?"

Clark, "Ah, I'd forgotten, I'm a college student, right? I even have a diploma, hmm, maybe I should rethink this."

Li Wei gently shook his head, "We're literally at the University of Alabama, I don't think the other students would appreciate your attitude."

Clark, "Haha, sorry, sorry."

"But graduation isn't until next year. No need to hurry for now; at least, next season, the Rover still needs your help, and the ground attack of the Crimson Tide Storm relies on you guys."

"Going round in circles for a year, we're back to where we started, facing the same situation again, right? But this time, there's no second Li Wei. Otherwise, Li Wei, you shouldn't enter the draft, oh no no, sorry, forget what I just said, you should go to the draft."

"Oh, why?"

"Last year we had Derrick Henry, this year we have you, with you guys as the face of the team, more and more talented individuals will apply to our school, creating a virtuous cycle."

"Hmm, last year we had Henry, this year we have me, next year it's the Master's turn, right? Threepeat."

"Haha, even in my dreams, I wouldn't indulge in such wild fantasies."

"What? Don't dare to dream? You should still have dreams; what if they come true?"

"Of course, I still believe in dreams, Li Wei. I believe in the existence of dreams and that they can come true. I will continue to root for you and Henry; it's just that for me, the football dream should end now. I've persisted and fought long enough, and what should have been achieved has been achieved. As for what hasn't been accomplished, I'll leave it as a distant dream. I'm content."

The sunlight fell softly and brightly on Clark, and the sadness and bitterness, the sighs and losses were dissolved in the warmth of the glow along with his smile.

Then, Clark found his smile and confidence again.

Maybe they would embark on different life journeys, but they would all continue to move forward in their own ways.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Clark looked at Li Wei, "Even if I switch tracks, I can go all the way. Have you forgotten? I'm also a part of the Crimson Tide Storm."

He clenched his fist lightly, his smile blooming, "Roar, Crimson Tide."

Youth, with no regrets.

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