Chapter 103 102 It's the taking part that counts
"Who?"
The whole place was dead silent.
The reporters could hardly believe their own ears—what had they just heard?
Was Li Wei adding fuel to the fire of hatred between Crimson Tide Storm and the Tigers, as if their rivalry wasn't intense enough already?
Some reporters thought the noise at the scene was too loud, so Li Wei might not have heard clearly. They kindly repeated the name, trying to save him from embarrassment.
"Fournette, Leonard Fournette."
Li Wei's face was the picture of innocence—he swore he wasn't targeting anyone, he genuinely had no idea who that was, no matter how many times the reporters repeated it.
Not far away, Hertz and Humphrey were struggling to contain their laughter watching this unfold. If it weren't for the fear of causing a misunderstanding that might prevent them from leaving Tiger Stadium, they would likely have burst out laughing because they knew Li Wei was not playing a prank—
In Crimson Tide Storm, Li Wei also referred to players by their jersey numbers or nicknames.
At first, the team thought Li Wei was joking, but when he candidly admitted that he was not good with names and was naturally indifferent to them, over time, the players realized he was serious and didn't mean to offend anyone.
Everyone was a no-name.
Just then, seeing that Li Wei was about to infuriate the biggest star of the rival's offensive group at Tiger Stadium, Hertz, looking at Humphrey's face filled with a spectator's delight, couldn't bear it and raised his voice to hint, "The running back, that running back."
Li Wei caught the crucial piece of information, "Ah, that running back?"
Reporter: …
How did the top NCAA running back contender become a no-name in Li Wei's mouth?
"That running back"?
No matter how you hear it, it sounded extremely derogatory.
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Yet, Li Wei still wore a face full of sincerity; and finally matched the name to the face, "I believe he did his best in this game."
As a fellow running back, Li Wei knew, setting aside his own fluctuating performance, that Fournette's injuries and the Crimson Tide Storm's targeted defense could affect his performance, but at least Fournette had given it his all—
Even till the fourth quarter, Fournette hadn't given up, continuously battering against the wall but still trying and striving, which was commendable.
However.
Li Wei's words, filled with encouragement, landed on the reporters' ears and felt more like an adult's condescending praise for a child.
Is this normal?
"He did his best," wasn't this implying that Fournette's potential was limited?
So, it's the participation that counts?
Rustling about, the reporters stirred, imaginations running wild.
Not surprised, but excited—
Excited about digging up explosive news and already envisioning tomorrow's sports headline. A rivalry showdown indeed never lacked for drama.
Just when one wave subsided, another loomed.
Seizing the moment of chaos, a reporter threw out another question.
"Li Wei, how then do you view Jackson and Watson? Do you think they deserve the Heisman Trophy, or do you have other thoughts?"
A trap, a glaring trap, laid bare right in front of him, and a pack of Big Bad Wolves sharpening their knives looking at Little Red Riding Hood.
Yet, Li Wei wasn't phased at all, "Oh, I think my teammate deserves the Heisman Trophy more, number twenty-six."
Number twenty-six?
Number twenty-six of Crimson Tide Storm was indeed… Marlon Humphrey.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
All the reporters' eyes turned towards Humphrey, who immediately struck a bodybuilder's pose showing off his biceps, like a peacock spreading its feathers.
Li Wei still had a sincere expression on his face, "I have always believed that focusing the Heisman Trophy selection solely on offensive players is not right. We should recognize that football is a team sport. Offense, defense, special duty group are all indispensable. The NCAA's top outstanding players should also include those from the defensive group."
"If I remember correctly, the Super Bowl MVP at the beginning of this year was awarded to a defensive player, so why couldn't the Heisman Trophy be the same?"
A powerful statement!
Reporter: …
This is not how it should be.
They tried to incite conflicts between Li Wei and Jackson, Watson, enjoying the spectacle; but Li Wei turned the accusation towards the reporters—
The Heisman Trophy selection consists of two parts: professional reporters and former Heisman Trophy winners.
Specifically, professional reporters hold eight hundred seventy votes; and there are fifty-seven former Heisman Trophy winners still alive, who vote each year.
In other words, the media reporters here will decide the winner of the Heisman Trophy.
Now, Li Wei was condemning the reporters for only seeing offense and not defense, which is detrimental to the development of the sport.
The reporters, speechless.
They couldn't refute, nor argue, nor even explain. Everyone focuses on offense, a fact, but ignoring the importance of defense is also a fact. Faced with such a tricky topic, a slight misstep could make them targets of public criticism. Everyone had to think thrice before speaking.
Initially, the reporters had laid a trap for Li Wei.
Shortly thereafter, Li Wei dug a collective grave for the reporters.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
During the awkward glances, the reporters dared not look directly into Li Wei's eyes.
Unexpectedly, Li Wei did not continue to attack the reporters but instead changed the subject, "As for the others, do you want me to evaluate their rushing ability, or their passing ability?"
"If it's about passing ability, sorry, I know nothing about passing."
"If it's about rushing ability," Li Wei shrugged slightly, "hey, I do know a bit about ground offense."
In a light and casual manner, a sense of sarcasm and jest overflowed, which is also a current point of controversy discussed in both the NCAA and NFL:
For the new generation of running quarterbacks, are they really quarterbacks or running backs?
However, even up to now, the debate has not been resolved. With a shift of concept, Li Wei once again posed a tough question for all the reporters in the room.
Right after that, Li Wei prepared to leave nonchalantly.
The reporters immediately panicked. How could the interview end like this? Li Wei pushes them towards a proverbial grave and just leaves so casually? And they only asked a few questions?
Hurriedly, the reporters surrounded Li Wei, stepping in unison, and quickly another reporter threw out another focus topic.
"Li Wei, although this is only your first season in NCAA, we have to notice that you're already a junior, so, are you planning to enter the draft next year?"
"Or perhaps, you plan to play another year as a senior?"
The draft?
Indeed, this was a blind spot.
When Li Wei suddenly emerged, people naturally assumed he would enter the draft; on one hand, people also discussed Li Wei's greenness, his relatively short experience with football. If he enters the draft next year, the market is unclear, especially considering that he is a running back.
Now, as the season progresses, Li Wei's performances are clear for all to see.
If Li Wei were to declare for the draft now, not to mention in which round he might be chosen, but the number of teams interested in inviting Li Wei to their training camps should not be few.
Thus, the "blind spot" was laid out—
What does the person himself think?
Unexpectedly, Li Wei had no hesitation at all, as if the reporters asked not about the draft but rather what he suggested for tonight's dinner.
"Oh, that question is not currently within my considerations."
What, what?!