Super Bowl Domination

Chapter 358 Alone
“Sure enough, it’s here.”

Levi picked up the tactical manual and was about to turn around and leave, but inadvertently, he caught a glimpse of a figure wandering on the training ground outside the meeting room window.

At this time, night has fallen, and Kansas City is shrouded in a peacock blue night. In the distance, the refinery's smokestacks can be seen standing like giants on the edge of the sky, supporting the starry sky. There are no lights on the training ground, only the lights in the office buildings that are still on are projected sparsely, slowly outlining some light and shadows.

That figure was like a wandering soul.

Wait, that's——

Number 11?
Picking up the tactical manual, Levi hurried downstairs. Instead of going to the parking lot, he walked towards the training ground. His feet felt the softness of the grass again as he headed all the way.

The figure did not move forward, but found a random place, sat down cross-legged, with his back to the office building, completely unaware that someone was approaching.

Levi slowed down his pace and stopped not far behind No. 11. He followed his gaze, thought carefully, and then understood.

"Is that the direction of Arrowhead Stadium?"

Number 11 was startled by the sound and turned around. When he realized that the person coming was Levi, he couldn't help but chuckle, "Were we discovered?"

The Kansas City Chiefs' home stadium is Arrowhead Stadium, but their training base is not there.

The training base is only a five-minute drive from Arrowhead Stadium, and can also be reached on foot. There are two training grounds, a complete stadium and an indoor stadium. It is open to the public all year round and is bustling with people all year round.

If fans wish, they can come to the training base at any time to watch training and cheer.

At this time, Smith, the main quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, wearing the No. 11 jersey, was sitting on the training field of the training base and looking at Arrowhead Stadium.

Levi was slightly surprised.

In fact, Levi and Smith have always been neither close nor distant. Rather than friends, teammates are more appropriate terms.

On the one hand, Smith is usually low-key and introverted, and doesn't talk much, so his voice is rarely heard in the locker room; on the other hand, Levi and Mahomes are good friends, and Mahomes is coveting Smith's starting position, so their relationship is a little subtle.

However, after spending a whole season together, the two have a good relationship.

Smith is a gentle person, without any sharp edges or corners, and he is willing to share. If Levi has any questions, he is happy to answer them. During the game, the occasional tactical exchanges are also very smooth. In fact, not only Levi, but also if Mahomes has questions, he will also answer them without reservation.

As a teammate, as a senior/guide, and as a quarterback, Smith is a great companion.

tonight.

Levi did not expect that Smith would stay until the end and not leave the training base. He would appear on the training ground, bathing in the starlight and looking at the Arrowhead Stadium.

All these behaviors reveal a sense of weirdness.

It is precisely because of this that even though they are not friends, and have never drunk or partied together privately except for training and games, their relationship is purely a partnership; but as a teammate, when Levi noticed Smith's abnormality, he felt he had an obligation to ask.

Looking at Smith, Levi hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to him.

Smith rarely spoke on his own initiative, but tonight seemed to be different. After noticing Levi sitting down, he actually spoke on his own initiative.

"Hey, can you believe this? This is only my third playoff win in my entire 13-year career."

Levi was slightly stunned——

So that's why. Here's the reason.

People have been emphasizing what this playoff win means to the Kansas City Chiefs, but no one has mentioned what this playoff win means to the players.

For example, Smith.

Levi shrugged lightly, "I think you may have asked the wrong person."

Smith was stunned. "Ha, rookie, yes, how could I forget about this? You know nothing about football and you don't even know Brady. How could you know my performance in the playoffs?" There was a hint of self-deprecating bitterness in his words.

Levi raised his eyebrows slightly, "Sorry?"

The uncertain tone made Smith laugh out loud. "No, you don't have to apologize. To be precise, I should thank you. Thank you for bringing us this victory."

Levi was about to speak when Smith interrupted him, which was rare.

"I know you want to say this is a team victory, but we all know that it was you who mustered up the courage to stand firm and lead the team at the last moment."

"Or, I don't know if it was you, but it definitely wasn't me."

The words were slightly sharp, but not irritating.

Rather than jealousy or anger, it was more about self-mockery and bitterness, and even if it was an attack, it was directed at Smith himself.

Suddenly, Levi understood——

Post-match press conference.

Normally, the biggest contributor to a playoff victory should be the quarterback, but obviously, Smith was neglected. Not to mention the comparison with Levi, even Mariota won more attention. The pass from Mariota to Levi in ​​the second half was still talked about after the game.

For Smith, this was also a milestone victory. His performance was still good, with multiple points in the first half and consecutive passes in the last wave of offense in the second half. His stable output laid the foundation for Levi's subsequent running.

Unfortunately, no one cares.

If you ask yourself and put yourself in Levi's shoes, you will find that he would also feel lost.

So, how should he comfort Smith?

Levi, "Alex..."

Smith noticed the embarrassment in Levi's words, and he laughed instead, "Sorry, the person you are complaining about has an error in input. You should be the least suitable person to confide in."

Levi also smiled, "Think about it from another perspective. I am the only right person to confide in. Sorry, I didn't mean to steal your limelight."

Levi said the second half of the sentence in a teasing tone. Smith was about to make an excuse, but he couldn't help but be amused by Levi's tone, "Why do you sound like you're not sorry at all?"

Levi nodded seriously, "Sorry, I'm not sorry at all."

"Haha." Smith laughed out loud. "You don't have to apologize. Without you, we might have lost the game today, and that would have been even more painful."

"I just……"

Take a deep breath.

"I just hope I can shoulder the responsibility, play the role of quarterback and help the team win. I don't want to be an expendable role. I also want to be a member of the team. I also want to fight alongside you."

As he spoke, his voice gradually became lower.

"You know what? I've wondered more than once if my pride has held back the team's success. Maybe I'm not as good as I thought I was. Maybe without me, the team would have gone further in the playoffs."

Levi was stunned.

He never knew that Smith had such a problem:

As a quarterback standing under the spotlight, you naturally need to bear corresponding responsibilities; once you are unable to bear such responsibilities, the overwhelming pressure may completely crush all your strength.

(End of this chapter)