Chicago has not had too much success in the Gay Bowl, the most prestigious annual gay flag football tournament, dating back to the inaugural event, held in the spring of 2002 in Los Angeles—with the 14th edition set for Oct. 10-12 in Philadelphia.
A Chicago team was in the finals of Gay Bowl II and Gay Bowl III, both played in 2003 and competed in Gay Bowl VI in 2006—and each was a loss for the Windy City representative.
The Chicago Fire defeated the Atlanta Storm 34-19 on Oct. 9, 2005, for the title in Gay Bowl V—the lone championship for a Chicago team.
Two teams ( in different divisions ) are ready to shoot Chicago to flag football glory—or at least try.
The top-tiered Chicago Freeze and the Chicago Blaze are each competing in Gay Bowl XIV—with each team boasting a roster of 18 players.
"Our goal at every Gay Bowl is to win the whole thing," said Charles A. Richardson, who is the coach/captain for the Freeze. He has played six times in the Gay Bowl with Boston and Chicago teams and last year was his first in a coaching role.
"Experience plays a major factor in the success of any team [in the Gay Bowl] and we have plenty, particularly since we've played together for some time. We believe we can win because of this experience, acknowledging that experience and chemistry are just as important as talent.
"Collectively as a team, we have a high football IQ, which allows us to introduce concepts without lengthy detailed explanations. When athletes understand the basics of game and their abilities within our system, it breeds success."
Kevin Miller is the Freeze quarterback and he seemingly has a slew of offensive weapons.
"The strength of our team is that, first, we're friends who enjoy football and, second, we enjoy playing with each other which makes it fun," Richardson said. "As a squad, we actually play better when we're having fun teasing each other and laughing, but also challenging each other to go beyond the previous play and make a better play. The majority of us have played sports all of our lives and the competitiveness of each individual creates a unified force that helps us win games, especially the close ones."
Richardson, 39, who lives in Andersonville, is an interoperability analyst.
"We're confident in our ability, but not cocky," he said. "The moment you discount your opponents is the moment you lose, and badly at that.
"We're lucky that we're bringing back a large number [of players] from last year with some talented additions. We're expecting great results from this group of athletes."
That includes wide receiver Rod Nealon, who turned in a SportsCenter moment at last year's Gay Bowl. "While covered tightly by a defensive back, [Nealon] caught the ball, tapped it forward to himself and then accelerated past the defender to score," Richardson said.
In 2011 in Houston, rusher Eric Hughes turned in a memorable on-field play that Richardson still recalls with pride.
Hughes sacked the opposing quarterback just as they were close to scoring, with seconds left to play. "It was a tense game and we came out with a close win," Richardson said.
Brian Kupersmit is the main quarterback for the Blaze and some of the team's top offensive players are Eric Wickham ( receiver ), Chris Trepte ( blocker/receiver ) and Jerry Jacobsen ( blocker ).
Defensively, the Blaze is led by Chris Reed ( rusher/middle linebacker ), Tristan Jordan ( safety ) and Drew Henry ( linebacker ).
Matt Simpson, 43, who lives in Rogers Park and is a construction manager, is the Blaze captain and also plays cornerback. This is his third Gay Bowl.
Simpson said the Blaze is filled with Gay Bowl experience and top players at key positions, plus versatility of players to play multiple positions.
Simpson added that he is "excited to play with returning players from previous Gay Bowls and several new, talented players experiencing [the] Gay Bowl for the first time.
"The talent and enthusiasm for [the] Gay Bowl is like years past. I would be proud to win our division and bring a championship back to Chicago."
