Chapter 608 Lifeline of the City
In just one year, it is so real, yet so dreamy. At a certain moment in daily life, you will fall into a trance and wonder if all this is really happening. After repeated confirmation, "The Kansas Chiefs are the defending champions." "This incident can always make the corners of the mouth raise and regain the taste of happiness.
Perhaps, in the eyes of others, it's been a full eight months since the Super Bowl and this city is still immersed in the glory of the championship, which is a bit crazy.
But West would say that's because they don't live in Kansas City.
"In the past few years, the entire city has been very difficult, as if it was experiencing an invisible storm, with closed factories, dilapidated neighborhoods, large-scale unemployment, and young people who were forced to run away to survive."
"It was a downturn and a haze."
"If someone asked me what about Kansas City? I'd say it's a disaster, there's no need to come here, we're all worried about becoming the next Detroit."
West noticed Levi's surprise, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Yeah, we're that bad."
Detroit, the once prosperous Motor City, declared bankruptcy in 2014. This was the largest municipal bankruptcy case in North American history, and the city was handed over to federal management.
Fortunately, the bankruptcy did not last long. A full year later, city finances returned to normal and federal management was transferred back to the city government.
The Detroit Lions, this NFL team has also been struggling on the edge.
Unexpectedly, Kansas City is also facing the same depression and depression.
In fact, even now, the economic situation in Kansas City is still bad, and the high unemployment rate has cast a shadow over the entire city.
West took a deep breath.
"This is a blue-collar city, and it's a group of workers who live here."
"We have no wisdom or talent. We eat with our hands in a down-to-earth and diligent manner. We cannot keep up with the trend of the Internet economy. We live a regular life without any extravagant hopes or ideals. We just live simply. "
"Once the factory cannot sustain itself, people will not be able to find a way out."
"This city has been fighting adversity and suffering and people don't deserve this."
"Football is the only thing we have that helps us find the strength to continue living."
"If you win, Monday won't seem so bad, you can see smiling faces, you can find a ray of sunshine in the gloom."
"But if you lose, things will become difficult..."
He hesitated to speak.
West looked at Levi, slightly embarrassed, "Sorry, we don't have any other entertainment life."
Levi shrugged lightly, "Hey, what you are discussing is my job, please give me some respect, okay?"
"Haha." West couldn't control it. "Hahaha." He couldn't control his laughter at all.
Originally, West was worried about putting all the pressure on Levi. These young sophomores and juniors have already received enough attention and expectations. He really shouldn't continue to put all his hopes on Levi's shoulders. .
But now it seems that there is a reason why Levi became Levi.
Relax your mind a little.
"Rugby, to us, is more than just rugby." "I know you've never been to the Old Oak on a match day, after all you have your job, God, what the hell am I talking about, I hope you never get the chance Witness the spectacle of a pub game day.”
"but……"
"It's guaranteed to be full every game day. 100 percent."
"For us, rugby is more than just a game. We gather in the pub from early in the morning, joking with each other and looking forward to the game until after the game is over."
"It's not just about drinking and having fun, it's a gathering of old friends. People need support, people need someone to listen to their troubles in life, and you can feel like you're part of a community."
“My parents were regulars here and I still remember following them to the Old Oak Tavern for the first time after the game and we won.”
"September 20, 1993, the first home game of the season, against the Denver Broncos, '7:15', we won."
"I was only five years old at that time. Imagine that I hold my father's hand and push open the door of the pub. The record player is playing loudly. People are singing happily, holding glasses and hugging each other. There are even people dancing in the middle. This scene is deeply imprinted in my mind.”
“From that moment on, I fell in love with it.”
In a few words, West painted a picture in Levi's mind.
Levi has never experienced it, but he can't help but imagine that, like football in England, Spain, and Germany, rugby is also a part of the North American community. This sport has long gone beyond simple entertainment.
"In my memory, the Old Oak Tavern has only closed once in the past 25 years. Because old Anderson fell at home, David had to rush back. Later, Mr. Anderson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and then... "
"Anyway, it's open all the time, even at Christmas. Year-round."
"People always say, hey, man, it's just a game, there's no need to take it seriously; but it's not, it's not really, it's part of our lives."
As he spoke, West started dancing, his face full of excitement and it was difficult to conceal it.
"My father and mother and I went to Arrowhead Stadium for the first time. I still remember the scene, the mighty red waves in the audience, and the happy faces."
“After my dad passed away, my mom stopped going to Arrowhead Stadium because there were so many memories of them there, their first date, dad proposing, oh, God, can you imagine him proposing at Arrowhead Stadium? Haha, but he did it, really did it.”
"Me too. In my memory, time is not important, this stadium and those games are."
"I fell in love with a girl for the first time. On November 28, 2004, we lost miserably to San Diego at home and officially lost our hope for the playoffs. I met her right here at the Old Oak Tavern. I still remember the black jeans she put on under her jersey.”
"But I didn't have the guts to ask her out on a date, and it wasn't until December 25th, the Christmas Day game, when we beat Oakland and won, right outside Arrowhead Stadium, that I got up the courage and asked her if she wanted to come with me. Watch the movie, she agreed.”
The smile climbed to the corner of the mouth, full of happiness.
There is a famous saying in the football world that football has nothing to do with life and death, but football is higher than life and death. In fact, the same goes for rugby.
But this is not to say that rugby is more important than life, but that rugby has long been a part of life, including life and death. The birth and passing of life are also integrated with the stadium, team and rugby, giving life Weight gives warmth to life.
Be it happiness or sadness, nothing can be separated from football.
Perhaps, everyone cannot escape the fate of death, but the vivid vitality that remains in the memory with the stadium and the team will never disappear.
(End of chapter)