The Chicago Bliss is a women's American football team based in the Chicago area. The Bliss is one for the first four teams to participate in the Lingerie Bowl and was carried over to the formation of the Lingerie Football League (LFL) in 2009. Since the formation of the league, the Bliss have played out of multiple indoor and outdoor venues. In 2013, the league rebranded as the Legends Football League. The Chicago Bliss are the LFL team with the most wins and the most championship titles. As of the conclusion of the 2019 season, the Bliss had a league best 40–14–1 all-time record and four Legends Cups wins in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Before the 2020 season, the LFL was completely relaunched as the Extreme Football League (X League) and the Bliss were replaced by the Chicago Blitz with games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.
The Chicago Bliss is one of four teams that were introduced in 2004 for the inaugural Lingerie Bowl along with the Dallas Desire, Los Angeles Temptation, and New York Euphoria.[1] The Bliss were defeated by New York Euphoria in the 2005 Eastern Final (where one of the Semi-Finals included a Skill Test, a 3-on-2 match, and a dance competition) at Lingerie Bowl II and then were defeated again by New York in the 2006 Eastern Final at Lingerie Bowl III. Lingerie Bowls IV, V, and VI were then all cancelled for various reasons.
In 2009, the Lingerie Football League (LFL) was launched with multiple games in a season instead of just an annual event. On September 4, 2009, the Chicago Bliss defeated the Miami Caliente 29–19 in the first ever game of the LFL at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.[2] In 2009 the coaching staff consisted of Bliss Head Coach Keith Hac, coach of the Indoor Football League's Chicago Slaughter.;[3] Offensive Coordinator Rasche Hill, a former member of the National Football LeagueJacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Slaughter; and Defensive Coordinator DeJuan Alfonzo, a former member of the Chicago Rush and Chicago Slaughter. The Bliss defeated the Miami Caliente 20–7 to win the Eastern Conference title[2][4] but fell 27–14 to the Los Angeles Temptation in Lingerie Bowl VII. Professional wrestlerDanielle Moinet also played with Chicago Bliss from 2008 through 2011, where she was cornerback and team captain.[5]
In 2013, the Lingerie Football league was rebranded as the Legends Football League and shifted to a summer and fall season schedule. On September 1, 2013, the Bliss then won their first championship, now called the Legends Cup, over the Philadelphia Passion. They would repeat as champions the next year, appear in four consecutive championships including a third title, and win a fourth title in 2018. The Bliss had since used both Sears Centre Arena and Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, in various seasons as their home venue.
Reyes, Ashley (September 11, 2010). "A Blissful Season Opener". NBC Chicago. Retrieved September 12, 2010. Things look good for another successful season for the Chicago Bliss as they rolled in their season opener Friday night, beating the Dallas Desire 14-7 at the Sears Center Arena.