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Chapter 456 - Awakening the Storm

Pederson: "We're ready."

Calm, composed, and full of confidence.

When Doug Pederson stepped in front of the media, he radiated poise.

"Among the other thirty-one teams in this league, the one I least want to face—but also most want to face—is the Chiefs. I respect and admire everything Coach Reid has given this league. I've personally benefitted immensely. But now, I'm ready to claim the title in my own way."

Pederson: Reid is great, but his time has passed. The future belongs to me.

The reporters buzzed with excitement, each mentally composing increasingly explosive headlines. But they weren't about to let Pederson off the hook so easily.

A rare opportunity.

Reporter: "Coach, what if winning the Super Bowl means stepping over Reid's corpse?"

A light toss of bait. A subtle trap.

Pederson?

He saw right through the trick—but didn't care.

"Patricide?"

"Yes. I'm ready."

Boom.

The media exploded.

Even though they had schemed for a sensational moment like this, they were stunned that it actually happened—giddy with disbelief.

It was too good to be true.

Overcome with excitement, some reporters had to pinch their legs to believe it.

Forget clickbait and out-of-context quotes—Pederson was the real king of traffic. One sentence obliterated all competition.

The Philadelphia Inquirer went all in:

"Pederson: Ready for Patricide."

Media outlets collectively climaxed.

Tension hung in the air.

It wasn't just Bart. Not just Inside the League.

Frankly, no one had to stir the pot anymore. The Super Bowl was near, the season's long and bloody road had reached its final battle, and no one wanted to miss their chance—no one wanted to back down. The tension between the Eagles and the Chiefs had already begun to simmer.

That single word—"patricide"—a clear, direct declaration from Pederson, sent shockwaves throughout the league.

Everyone respected Pederson's regard for Reid. No one questioned that. In fact, many believed the Eagles' loss to the Chiefs in Week 2 stemmed from Pederson's desire to beat Reid using Reid's own style.

Now, it seemed Pederson had finally decided to break free—and claim the future as his own.

The media had what they'd been waiting for.

Suddenly, sports journalists across North America swarmed Kansas City, eager to corner Reid.

This was the digital age—information traveled at the speed of light. Within seconds of Pederson's words, Kansas City had already caught wind. It was obvious Reid would've heard it from his office, and staff members could be seen peeking through windows, anticipating the media blitz.

But Reid, at the eye of the storm, remained as composed as ever. Unhurried. Serene.

Reid: "We're not strangers."

That familiar, honest expression. Always smiling. Every flicker of emotion hidden behind those small glasses. Calm as can be.

"This season, no matter who we've faced, we've always been the underdogs. The Super Bowl is no different. We're used to it."

"So, in the next game, we'll keep fighting with everything we've got—not for the result, but to ensure we leave no regrets. To finish our season of growth and transformation. We're still young. We've still got a lot to learn."

Over in Philly, the Eagles played the youth card, positioning the Chiefs as "older" and established.

Back in KC, the Chiefs leaned even further into the underdog role, doubling down on their youth and inexperience. Reid lowered their posture even more.

The reporters exchanged glances—then threw the big one.

"Coach Reid, Pederson said he'd step over your corpse to win. That if winning requires patricide, he's ready."

Silence.

Everyone held their breath.

Every eye was on Reid's response. Even the Chiefs' headquarters fell completely quiet.

Reid: "Heh. Heh heh."

Reporters: ??? Wait—what?

That was it.

They waited. And waited. But Reid offered nothing more than a chuckle or two.

A reporter pressed again: "Coach Reid, aren't you going to respond?"

Still smiling, Reid said, "Old Mr. Pederson might be a little heartbroken."

Reporters: …so cold.

Everyone knew Pederson wasn't talking about actual murder. But Reid deliberately misinterpreted it—and refused to engage.

And then—another question.

"Coach Reid, which team do you believe will win? Do the Chiefs have the strength and mindset of a champion?"

Just as reporters thought they had him cornered, Reid responded with innocent eyes:

"Champions? I believe we're already champions—AFC champions."

Cue: crickets.

Grandpa Reid turned, still smiling, and left a group of dumbfounded reporters in his wake—

The old fox was just too slick.

Despite all that, Reid couldn't stop the media frenzy.

After all, there was only one game left. If not now, then when?

"Reid: No comment. See you on the field."

"Reid refuses to join war of words, shows confidence through silence."

"While Pederson gets aggressive, Reid's maturity and poise outshine his apprentice."

"Reid turns away criticism with grace, proves experience trumps all."

"Reid shows the youngins why patricide isn't so easy."

No matter how cool Reid played it, the smoke of war billowed across the league—Super Bowl frenzy had truly arrived.

And it wasn't just the coaches. One by one, the players stepped up, eager to seize their moment in the spotlight of football's greatest night.

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