Chicago Blitz – A Championship Tradition
Vital Info Founded: 1983 Stadium: Soldier Field Head Coach: George Allen Division: Central
Year By Year Roster, Stats, and Recap
Chicago Blitz History
1983: The Blitz, led by veteran NFL coach George Allen, made an immediate impact in the USFL’s inaugural season. Known for their tough defense and disciplined play, they finished 12-6 in the regular season, second in the Central Division. Their most memorable moment came in the playoffs when they stunned the previously undefeated Michigan Panthers (18-0 in the regular season) in the title game, the Blitz established themselves as a contender.
1984: The Blitz remained competitive, finishing 12-6 again and securing another second-place division finish. However, their path was blocked by the high-powered Houston Gamblers, an expansion team that dominated the league with their “Run-and-Shoot” offense. The Blitz met the Gamblers in the first round of the playoffs but were outmatched, ending their season earlier than hoped. Despite the playoff exit, the team proved its consistency under Allen’s leadership.
1985: In their final USFL season, the Blitz posted a strong 13-5 record but once again finished behind the Houston Gamblers in the Central Division. This time, however, they peaked at the right time, rolling through the playoffs and capping their run with a dominant 42-21 victory over Steve Spurrier’s Tampa Bay Bandits in the championship game.