Chicago Blitz

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The Chicago Blitz were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. They played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

1 Team history
2 1983 Blitz game results
3 1983 Chicago Blitz roster
4 1984 Blitz game results
5 1984 Chicago Blitz roster
6 Single season leaders
7 Season-by-season
8 External links

[edit] Team history

The Blitz were one of the charter members of the USFL. The ownership group was headed by renowned heart surgeon Dr. Ted Diethrich, with legendary coach George Allen and Southern California developer Bill Harris as minority partners. Diethrich served as president, with Harris as executive vice president and Allen as chairman of the board and head coach.

[edit] George Allen

Allen had been out of coaching since 1977; he had been a candidate for the vacant head coaching position with the Chicago Bears a year earlier, but Bears owner George Halas had never forgiven Allen for defecting to the Rams in 1965. Allen immediately became the "face" of the new team, and set about putting together the best 40-man roster he could find. The result was a team that was the early favorite to be the new league's first champion.

[edit] 1983 season

They finished in a tie for the Central Division title, but were awarded a wild card berth due to being swept by the eventual champion Michigan Panthers. In the playoffs, they blew a 21-point lead over the Philadelphia Stars, losing 44-38 in overtime.

[edit] Struggling at the gate

Despite the fact that the Blitz were one of the strongest teams in the league (some suggested that they could have been competitive in the NFL), they struggled at the gate, averaging only 18,100 fans. Diethrich had lost millions of dollars, and didn't feel the losses justified making an investment for a team far from his home in Phoenix (he was the founder of the Arizona Heart Institute). As it turned out, Arizona Wranglers owner Jim Joseph had lost almost as much money as Diethrich, and put his team on the market as well.

[edit] An unsual transaction

This resulted in one of the most unusual transactions in sports history. Diethrich and his group sold the Blitz to Milwaukee heart surgeon James Hoffman. The Diethrich group then bought the Wranglers from Joseph. Almost immediately after Diethrich closed on his purchase of the Wranglers, he and Hoffman agreed to swap their assets--players, coaching staff and all. The result was that, with few exceptions, the 1983 Blitz became the Wranglers, while the 1983 Wranglers became the Blitz. The swap was seen as odd in media circles, in part because of the stark difference in the two teams' quality. While the Blitz had established themselves as a league power, the Wranglers had tied for the worst record in the league--potentially making an already bad attendance situation in Chicago even worse.

[edit] 1984 season

Although the 1984 Blitz were basically the same team as the 1983 Wranglers, the USFL considered both incarnations of the Blitz to be a single franchise.

Hoffman spent heavily in promoting the new Blitz, and hired NFL veteran and Chicago native Marv Levy as coach. However, after this resulted in anemic season ticket sales, Hoffman sold his interest before his new team even played a down and returned the team to the league. The league couldn't simply fold the Blitz, however--its contract with ABC required the league to have teams in the New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago markets.

The "new" Blitz made a wretched showing, finishing with the third-worst record in the league. Moreover, they only attracted 7,500 people per game, the second-lowest per game gate in the league.

[edit] Shutting down

Before the end of the season, it was announced that the Blitz would be shut down. Chicago White Sox part-owner Eddie Einhorn was awarded a new Chicago franchise, but it was stressed that this new franchise had no connection to the Blitz. A strong proponent of the USFL's planned move to the fall in 1986, he opted not to field a team in 1985. ABC had no objections to this move, probably due to the USFL's anemic ratings in Chicago.

[edit] Players who went on to the National Football League

The Blitz had a number of players who had played in the National Football League or would go on to play there. Some of them were Vince Evans, Tim Spencer, Trumaine Johnson, Greg Landry, Vagas Ferguson, Larry Canada and Kevin Long.

[edit] 1983 Blitz game results

REGULAR SEASON - (Home Attendance in Bold)

Sun.Mar. 6 - (W) BLITZ 28 @ Washington Federals 7 (Att. 38,007)

Sat.Mar.12 - (L) BLITZ 29 @ Arizona Wranglers 30 (Att. 28,434)

Sun.Mar.20 - (L) BLITZ 13 VS. DENVER GOLD 16 (Att. 22,600)

Sun.Mar.27 - (W) BLITZ 20 VS. LOS ANGELES EXPRESS 14 (Att. 10,936)

Sat.Apr. 2 - (W) BLITZ 42 @ Tampa Bay Bandits 7 (Att. 46,585)

Sun.Apr.10 - (W) BLITZ 22 VS. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS 11 (Att. 13,859)

Sun.Apr.17 - (L) BLITZ 12 @ Michigan Panthers 17 (Att. 11,634)

Mon.Apr.25 - (W) BLITZ 17 VS. NEW JERSEY GENERALS 14 *OT* (Att. 32,184)

Sun.May 1 - (W) BLITZ 38 @ Los Angeles Express 17 (Att. 21,123)

Sun.May 8 - (W) BLITZ 31 VS. WASHINGTON FEDERALS 3 (Att. 11,303)

Sun.May 15 - (L) BLITZ 24 @ Philadelphia Stars 31 (Att. 20,931)

Sun.May 22 - (W) BLITZ 19 @ New Jersey Generals 13 *OT* (Att. 33,812)

Mon.May 30 - (W) BLITZ 36 VS. ARIZONA WRANGLERS 11 (Att. 13,952)

Mon.Jun. 5 - (L) BLITZ 15 @ Boston Breakers 21 (Att. 15,087)

Sun.Jun.12 - (W) BLITZ 31 VS. TAMPA BAY BANDITS 8 (Att. 21,249)

Fri.Jun.17 - (W) BLITZ 29 @ Birmingham Stallions 14 (Att. 22,500)

Sun.Jun.26 - (L) BLITZ l9 VS. MICHIGAN PANTHERS 34 (Att. 25,041)

Sun.Jul. 3 - (W) BLITZ 31 VS. OAKLAND INVADERS 7 (Att. 12,346)

USFL SEMI-FINALS

Sat.Jul. 9 - (L) BLITZ 38 @ Philadelphia Stars 44 *OT* (Att. 15,684)

[edit] 1983 Chicago Blitz roster

1. Frank Minnifield (CB) 2. Trumaine Johnson (WR) 3. Frank Corral (K/P) 5. Frank Garcia (P) 7. John Roveto (K) 8. Tom Porras (QB) 10. Bobby Scott (QB) 11. Greg Landry (QB) 14. Tim Koegel (QB) 15. Tom Rozantz (QB) 20. Maurice Tyler (CB) 21. Doug Dennison (CB) 22. Lance Shields (CB) 24. Virgil Livers (CB) 25. Eddie Brown (SS) 27. Luther Bradley (FS) 28. Don Schwartz (SS) 29. Ted Walton (FS) 31. Walt Easley (FB) 32. Carl Allen (FS) 34. Frank Collins (RB) 34. Walter Poole (RB) 37. Pat Schmidt (SS) 42. Jim Stone (RB) 43. Mack Boatner (FB) 46. Tim Spencer (RB) 48. Kevin Long (FB) 50. Steve Tobin (C) 51. Joe Federspiel (LB) 52. Stan White (LB) 53. Andrew Melontree (LB) 54. Robert Barnes (G) 55. Jim Fahnhorst (LB) 56. Ed Smith (LB) 57. Doak Field (LB) 58. Bruce Gheesling (LB) 59. Bruce Branch (G) 59. Tom Piette (C) 59. James Looney (OL) 61. Tom Thayer (G) 62. Jim Lohmann (T) 63. Tim James (C) 63. Mark Buben (DE) 64. John Lee (DE) 65. Wally Pesuit (C) 68. Tim Norman (G) 69. Kari Yli-Renko (T) 70. Kit Lathrop (DT) 71. Karl Lorch (DE) 72. Bob Cobb (DE) 73. Mark Stevenson (G) 74. Joe Ehrmann (DT) 75. Rob Taylor (T) 77. Junior Ah You (DE) 78. Nick Eyre (T) 79. Troy Thomas (DT) 80. Marcus Anderson (WR) 81. Tim Wrightman (TE) 82. Larry Douglas (WR) 84. Doug Cozen (TE) 86. Paul Ricker (TE) 88. Wamon Buggs (WR) 89. Lenny Willis (WR) --. Bob Newton (G) --. Jack Lafferty (C) --. Bill McClung (G) --. Ken Gillen (DE) --. Tim Darling (LB)

[edit] 1984 Blitz game results

Mon.Feb.27 - (L) BLITZ 18 @ Michigan Panthers 20 (Att. 22,428)

Sun.Mar. 4 - (L) BLITZ 13 @ Memphis Showboats 23 (Att. 10,152)

Sun.Mar.11 - (L) BLITZ 36 vs. HOUSTON GAMBLERS 45 (Att. 7,808)

Sat.Mar.17 - (L) BLITZ 14 vs. OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS 17 (Att. 6,206)

Sun.Mar.25 - (L) BLITZ 35 @ New Orleans Breakers 41 *OT* (Att. 43,692)

Sat.Mar.31 - (W) BLITZ 21 @ Washington Federals 20 (Att. 7,373)

Sat.Apr. 7 - (W) BLITZ 16 vs. SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS 10 (Att. 9,412)

Sun.Apr.15 - (L) BLITZ 7 @ Philadelphia Stars 41 (Att. 17,417)

Fri.Apr.20 - (W) BLITZ 49 vs. LOS ANGELES EXPRESS 29 (Att. 11,713)

Sun.Apr.29 - (L) BLITZ 13 vs. OAKLAND INVADERS 17 (Att. 7,802)

Sun.May. 6 - (L) BLITZ 21 @ San Antonio Gunslingers 30 (Att. 15,233)

Fri.May.11 - (W) BLITZ 29 @ Denver Gold 17 (Att. 45,299)

Fri.May.18 - (L) BLITZ 7 vs. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS 41 (Att. 8,578)

Mon.May.28 - (L) BLITZ 17 vs. NEW JERSEY GENERALS 21 (Att. 4,307)

Sat.Jun. 2 - (W) BLITZ 14 @ Oklahoma Outlaws 0 (Att. 17,195)

Sun.Jun.10 - (L) BLITZ 13 @ Houston Gamblers 38 (Att. 24,243)

Fri.Jun.15 - (L) BLITZ 0 vs. ARIZONA WRANGLERS 36 (Att. 5,711)

Sun.Jun.24 - (L) BLITZ 17 vs. MICHIGAN PANTHERS 20 (Att. 5,557)

[edit] 1984 Chicago Blitz roster

3. Kevin Seibel (K) 7. Jeff Gossett (P) 8. Vince Evans (QB) 11. Dennis Shaw (QB) 14. Tim Koegel (QB) 15. Ron Reeves (QB) 19. Carlton Peoples (CB) 20. Ronnie Harris (CB) 21. Trent Bryant (CB) 22. Donnell Daniel (SS) 24. Virgil Livers (CB) 25. Tommy Wilcox (SS) 26. Vegas Ferguson (RB) 27. Mike Fox (FS) 28. John Arnaud (FS) 29. Gary Worthy (RB) 33. Glenn Ford (RB) 35. Larry Canada (FB) 42. Jim Stone (FB) 44. Terdell Middleton (RB) 44. Roy Eppes (FS) 46. Doug Plank (SS) 47. Charles Armstead (CB) 51. Robin Fisher (LB) 51. Russ Washington (LB) 52. Jimmy Rivera (LB) 52. Jeff Gabrielson (LB) 53. John Gillen (LB) 54. Tom Kilkenny (LB) 55. Sam Norris (LB) 55. Dann Lute (LB) 56. Clinton Haynes (LB) 56. Greg Williams (LB) 56. Guy Ruff (LB) 57. Mark Fischer (C) 58. Jon Kimmel (LB) 58. Bob Knapton (LB) 59. James Looney (LB) 59. Ken Kelley (LB) 60. Mike Weston (C) 61. Mike Cattage (DE) 62. Perry Hartnett (G) 63. Vince Stroth (T) 65. Glenn Hyde (G) 68. Curtis Bunche (DE) 70. Malcolm Taylor (DT) 71. Rod Walters (G) 72. Ken Times (DE) 73. Bob Simmons (G) 74. Doug Hoppock (T) 76. Mike Morgan (DT) 77. Dan Jiggetts (T) 78. Jerry Doerger (T) 79. Bruce Thornton (DE) 80. Marcus Anderson (WR) 81. Brian Glasgow (TE) 82. Darryl Stokes (WR) 82. Vic James (WR) 83. Mark Keel (TE) 84. Keith Magee (WR) 84. Dan Fulton (WR) 85. T.K. Ehlebracht (WR) 86. Gary Lewis (TE) 87. Oliver Williams (WR) 87. Frank McClain (WR) 88. Jackie Flowers (WR) 88. Shawn Potts (WR) 89. Kris Haines (WR) 91. Bob Clasby (DE) 91. Chris Lindstrom (DE) 93. Dennis Puha (DT) --. Andy Cannavino (LB) --. Kirk Wilson (CB) --. Kerry Baird (FS)

[edit] Single season leaders

Rushing Yards: 1157 (1983), Tim Spencer

Receiving Yards: 1327 (1983), Trumaine Johnson

Passing Yards: 2624 (1984), Vince Evans

[edit] Season-by-season

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties

Season	W	L	Finish	Playoff results
1983	12	6	2nd Central	Lost Divisional (Philadelphia)
1984	5	13	5th WC Central	-
Totals	17	20	(including playoffs)

[edit] External links