LRAB Chapter 567
Chapter 567
Chapter 567: Draw calamity eastward Chapter 567: Draw calamity eastward “`
Hubbub.
On the first day of the voluntary spring training camp, the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs firmly captured the spotlight and became the focus of attention.
On one hand, due to Hunter’s outspoken explosive remarks, running backs were put in opposition with the team and the League, creating an atmosphere that immediately became tense like drawn swords and ready crossbows.
On the other hand, Li Wei’s tactful response not only supported Bell but also cleverly shifted the controversy and chaos entirely onto the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Clearly, Li Wei was also pressuring the Pittsburgh Steelers but in a more sophisticated and subtle manner—
Laud to Kill.
An overt scheme, using praise and affirmation to push the Steelers into the spotlight, wholeheartedly believing Tomlin would make the right decision, outwardly aligning with the Steelers’ official response, but the real message being conveyed was as if roasting the Steelers over a fire.
The naive and innocent expression “Trust the Pittsburgh Steelers” left the Steelers with no choice but to greet people with a smile amidst their twitching corners of mouths.
...
Moreover,
The real brilliance of Li Wei’s strategy was not simply in pitting quarterbacks against running backs, nor was he preparing to turn running backs against other players who were also competing for salaries.
On the contrary, he secured an alliance for running backs, uniting players to fight for their interests,
Subtly and casually, Li Wei reminded everyone that not only running backs were being marginalized and stigmatized but so were safeties and linemen.
Behind the League’s single-minded pursuit of commercial benefits, offensive and defensive tactics for teams were undergoing massive changes due to rule alterations, such that the status and value of players in different positions were passively transformed, consequently facing various predicaments – situations that everyone needed to confront.
Today it’s Bell, but what about tomorrow?
Today it’s the running back, but who is next?
Who can guarantee that they won’t be the next ones to be ignored, harmed, or ‘optimized’?
At least, safeties and linemen have gradually begun to feel the crisis.
Li Wei planted a seed and quietly waited for it to take root and sprout; the next steps, even just a tilt in opinions or a change in stance, could serve as a force to change the situation for running backs.
At this moment, they needed to unite all possible forces—
Players with players, they are real comrades on the same front.
What appeared to be light and casual dismissals was in fact a masterful control of the entire situation.
However.
Things couldn’t be resolved overnight; the tug-of-war negotiations between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bell would need more time, and the waves continued.
An exception was that Li Wei’s momentum had risen again, climbing steadily after finishing as the second in regular-season MVP voting and becoming Super Bowl MVP, this young rookie running back was earning more and more recognition, no longer just seen differently by the League because of his Asian identity.
Just last month, Forbes released its 2017 NFL player income rankings.
In it, Li Wei forcefully entered the top five.
He was not only the only rookie in the top ten but also the only running back—the other nine were all quarterbacks.
Imagine this, Li Wei’s rookie salary was a mere eight million US dollars, yet he surpassed a host of veterans and his own draft’s first and second picks, rocketing into this list.
What, then, was the reason?
Endorsements.
According to Forbes’ estimates, even though Li Wei’s camp had not disclosed the detailed figures for each endorsement contract, they believed his endorsement earnings had easily surpassed thirty million US dollars; moreover, during this offseason, a series of contracts were being negotiated.
His Asian identity, rookie experience, coupled with a Super Bowl Champion ring—everything contributed to Li Wei’s continuously soaring value, showing no signs of stopping.
Now, it could be seen that sponsors were waving checks around, eager to get Li Wei’s attention, competing to deliver their checks to his doorstep.
With just endorsements alone, Li Wei had already surpassed players like Brady, Brees, Watt, and become the current number one in the League, far ahead.
Ultimately, on the Forbes list, a scene like this appeared.
First place, Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks quarterback.
Second place, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
Third place, Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback.
Fourth place, Tom Brady, New England Patriots quarterback.
Fifth place, Li Wei, Kansas City Chiefs running back.
Sixth place, Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers quarterback.
The style was slightly unusual, with an “odd one out” clearly visible at a glance.
In other words, this was enough to make Li Wei the target of envy and resentment in the eyes of others; yet, the reality was slightly different.
Li Wei was shedding the label of his Asian identity and the influence of Goodell’s official endorsement, establishing his own genuine place in the League.