Chapter 1363: Chapter 1362: Young Role Model
“JJ.”
“JJ.”
Upon entering the venue, a wave of heat hit her face, almost blinding her, and the majestic din surged over the eardrums.
The spacious and bright venue was packed, with more than a thousand people squeezed into an eight hundred-person space. Outside the seats, people stood all around, filling the space.
Only by witnessing it firsthand can one truly feel the power; in Houston, Watt’s influence is indeed beyond imagination.
Li Wei had held charity foundation events before, so he knew the challenges such events faced; however, the scene before him easily shattered his expectations.
Standing among the crowd, Li Wei led by whistling, encouraging others to cheer, then turned to Ethan and said, “Let’s be good audience members and enjoy the show.”
Evidently, Ethan was still not able to come back to his senses from the shock and awe; he tightly clung to his baseball cap, fearing someone might snatch it away; whereas Henry, unperturbed, was clapping joyfully, seamlessly enjoying the atmosphere as he watched Watt on the stage.
However, the good times didn’t last long.
On stage, Watt looked at Li Wei, with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Li Wei immediately became alert, continuously waving his hand towards Watt.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t stop Watt.
“I am not sure if everyone has noticed, I specially invited a good friend to attend today’s event, and I hope everyone can show the hospitality of Texas.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, Li Wei.”
Roar, roar, roar.
Woo, woo, woo.
Cheers, still cheers, but clearly laced with teasing and joking. The atmosphere quickly shifted.
Li Wei looked helpless, turned his head to see Ethan eagerly applauding, causing Li Wei to take a deep breath, and with a sense of resignation, stood up and moved towards the stage.
Haha, Ohai laughed very loudly.
Among the teasing, Li Wei arrived on stage, took the microphone from the innocent-looking Watt, and faced the dark crowd.
“Actually, if you don’t welcome me, there’s no need to applaud. I don’t mind. I know you may still carry some psychological shadows.”
Watt: ???
Hahaha, the whole room burst into laughter, mixed with boos, teasing, and whistles, lively and buzzing.
Standing in the center of the stage, Li Wei continued speaking.
“Before coming to Houston, JJ told me about this, asked me to share some thoughts and stories to enliven the atmosphere.”
“I said no problem, I’m someone who has spoken at the Super Bowl award ceremony.”
Oh!
The audience gasped in surprise.
“Twice.”
Haha, explosive laughter followed.
“However, the scene I imagined was thirty middle school students displayed like Barbie Dolls in front, and a hundred pot-bellied patrons behind, definitely not over eight hundred people in a big event. This is way tougher than ‘Saturday Night Live’.”
“So I told JJ just now, cancel the speech, and he agreed. He said I only needed to play the wallflower, sit in the front row VIP seat for thirty minutes, and then I could clock out.”
“However, this gentleman still pushed me into the spotlight to expose all my weaknesses, like a vampire seeing the sun. Hey, this is the real JJ-Watt. You should know, he’s not as perfect as the media portrays. Kealia, maybe you need to reconsider?”
Laughter, it just wouldn’t stop.
“Phew, I need to sit down.”
Li Wei turned around to look for a while and dragged a high stool to the center of the stage, sitting at ease.
“You need to empathize with an old man’s stamina. After all, I am much older than you all. A lot older.”
Watt: I think you’re implying something about me. And I have evidence.
In the unrestrained laughter of the audience, Li Wei let out a long breath.
“JJ wanted me to share some stories of my own, but the point is, my stories are already known, there’s nothing worth chewing over.”
“I used to be a mixed martial arts fighter, knew nothing about football and cared nothing about it, but Coach Burns saw my talent and took me to Crimson Tide Storm, and then I started getting into football.”
“That’s all.”
“Yes, God is just that unfair. Some people are simply geniuses and can come to dominate this sport even if starting halfway, leaving others envious.”
The casual banter and jokes kept the laughter going non-stop.
“My story is nothing special, and I don’t want to keep emphasizing it, as if the Super Bowl is already mine this year.”
Roar, roar, roar.
Watt was the first to stand up to protest, and the laughter in the hall simply couldn’t stop.
Ethan watched Li Wei with a face full of excitement, laughing so hard he was swaying forward and backward——
This is Li Wei, confident but not arrogant, firm but not boastful, maintaining a grounded attitude through self-deprecation and humility, and a posture of unity and cooperation.
He has always led by example, becoming a role model for every dream chaser, and also a partner, running and fighting together with these insignificant dreamers.
“Today, I want to talk about Ronnie Clark.”
“Yes, who is Ronnie Clark? My teacher, my partner, my friend, my backbone, and also the driver behind my pursuit of dreams.”
Ethan couldn’t help being stunned, slightly slow to remember:
Ronnie Clark, the former backup running back for Crimson Tide Storm, even in the NCAA was mediocre, ultimately couldn’t stand out in the fierce competition, and didn’t turn professional; but very few people know that now Clark is an assistant coach for the Kansas Chiefs’ running back group.
Dreams are not just in a single form.
On the path to dreams, maybe they can open a door to a new world, realizing their imagination in different ways and shapes; more importantly, even if they ultimately fail, the journey of giving their all and running wild will become a significant stroke of their life.
Just like today.
If Ethan hadn’t brought Henry out, maybe no stories would have happened, and he wouldn’t have reconsidered Li Wei from another perspective.
Not just Ethan.
In the whole hall, dead silence, captivating, deliciously absorbed in the stories, listening to Li Wei’s tales of the college field, listening to the surprises of meeting Clark again at the training base, listening to the behind-the-scenes discussion of tactics with Clark, smiles quietly climbing up the corners of their mouths.
“…I think, this is the original intention of JJ establishing this foundation.”
“He not only hopes that you can be strong and healthy. Not only hopes that more people can join the NFL, the emphasis is on hoping more people can shake off the shackles of life and, in the mire of confusion and difficulty, listen to their heart, make decisions they won’t regret, and take control of their own destiny.”
“So, tribute to JJ, tribute to Ronnie, tribute to every fool who still believes in dreams.”
Clap, clap, clap.
As soon as the speech ended, thunderous applause erupted across the entire room.
Clap, clap, clap!
Rising higher and higher, an overwhelming wave, gradually the whole venue stood up, no whistles or cheers, just simple applause, releasing the most turbulent and surging emotions within, enthusiastically pounding their hands.
Despite the countless stories about Li Wei in the League, today, once again they recognized Li Wei anew, willing to follow in Li Wei’s footsteps to chase the sun.