Blitz: The League Timeline

The following is the time line of the video game Blitz: The League as stated on their old website, current forum, in the game's manuals, in the game's official guides, or in the video game loading pages. This page has been created by popular demand from fans of the game with the hopes that The League's history be preserved for future gamers. It should be noted that the following info is fictional, and any references to real events should be been footnoted.

Before the 1900's

1867: Ivy league universities adapt Canadian rugby rules and create the game of American Football.

1870: Universities across the country attempt to ban or regulate football after a player from Eastern Methodist Tech is killed during a Rough and tumble game. Averse to regulation and unwilling to halt the "Gentlemanly Sport of Football" many college teams arrange matches covertly. Betting on these matches becomes a profitable underground business.

1890: Some universities, prompted by generous and influential alumni, begin staging football matches again. Rules of conduct are worked out between team captains before games because attempts to have referees do more than tally the final score are resisted.

1893: Railroad magnate Hollis Eastman, a former quarterback for Evanswood University in Cambridge Massachusetts, sponsors the first "professional" football game between the Belmont Bearcats and the Lexington Pioneers. The players are paid between $50-$100 each. Eastman is rumored to have made 100 times this much for betting on the game, which some still claim was fixed.

1900-1930

1902: The first collegiate tournament is played in Chicago. The rules are worked out at a heated conference the day before the tournament with all eight teams agreeing to "keep the uglier boorish behavior off the field." In reality, the tournament turns out to be a bloody affair, with the winning team from Burroughs University in Wisconsin finishing with less than half their starters still on the field.

1916: Tobias "Wolf" Walker forms the first professional football league with four teams: The Boston Spirit, New York Shamrocks, Chicago Scouts and Hartford Cougars. The League plays exactly one season, with The New York Shamrocks emerging as League champions, before America enters World War I and siphons off most of the young men playing the game.

1918: Lieutenant Marshall Cooper of the 4th Brigade, former halfback of the Chicago Scouts, organizes an impromptu football match in the muddy fields near Amiens in-between bouts of bloody combat with the Germans. It's said that hostilities on both sides ceased during play and cheers could be heard both in American and German. Cooper goes on to be thrice decorated for valor and survives the war to become a pivotal persona in the formation of professional football in America.

1923: Tobias Walker and Marshall Cooper reconstitute The League, ushering in what many consider as "The Golden Age of Football." Initial teams include the re-formed New York Shamrocks, Chicago Scouts and Boston Spirit. The Cougars nickname, once attached to Hartford, is transferred to a Trenton franchise. Newcomers the Milwaukee Bottlers and Atlanta Golden Knights also join the fray. The first League game between the Shamrocks and Bottlers also ushers in a New Era when it is broadcast over the radio.

1929: Hugh Walker takes co-ownership of the League after the death of his brother Tobias from a stroke. A judge by profession, Hugh Walker champions additional regulations upon the League, including the rights of referees to impose penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. Though some players and fans resist, Walker is successful, though Marshall Cooper resigns.

1930's

1930: Judge Hugh Walker's newly regulated League opens to low gate earnings and uninspired games played by unmotivated players. Radio sportscasters begin calling for Walker's ouster and the return of Marshall Cooper.

1932: Marshall Cooper resurfaces, forming his own League with teams from Wichita, Columbus, Buffalo, Birmingham and New York. He declares the "old ways" to be in place, with referees once again relegated to the position of scorekeepers.

1935: The infamous "Highland Boulevard Donnybrook" erupts between New York's two football franchises. The Shamrocks in Walker's league trade punches and kicks with The Dutchmen in Cooper's league. Arrests follow and ultimately the decision is made to settle the dispute on the GRIDIRON.

1936: The historical New Year's Day game is played between the Shamrocks and Dutchmen, both of New York. Half the game is played by the more structured rules of Walker's league while the other half is played according to the old rules of Cooper's league. The Dutchmen dig themselves into an 18-6 hole in the first half, but freed of penalty restrictions in the second half, go on to pummel the Shamrocks 42-21. The rough-and-tumble faction win! In the aftermath of the game, Judge Hugh Walker sells his assets to Cooper and gets out of the game of football forever.

1937: With Judge Hugh Walker's departure from football, Marshall Cooper finds himself in possession of two football leagues. Rather than merging them, Cooper declares that the six teams of Walker's league will have to "Fight for the right to move up and play my boys". The two division system of play is introduced for the first time.

1940's

1940-41: The Chicago Scouts make League history by winning the Division II championship, advancing to Division I and winning the League championship all in the same year. The Scouts repeat as League champions the following year and have the makings of a dynasty before World War II disrupts the League.

1942: With so many players away at war, the League consolidates from twelve to six teams and suspends the two division system. Teams are moved to maximize coverage. The new League consists of the Chicago Scouts, Baltimore Bearcats, New York Shamrocks, Washington Redhawks, Detroit Mechanics and Minnesota Bottlers. Some fans are heartbroken.

1945: Halfback Eric "The Red" Jorgenson of the Chicago Scouts becomes the first player in League history to rush for 1,000 yards. He goes on to score 4 rushing TD's in the League championship. The city builds the team a new stadium and renames the Scouts the Marauders in honor of Jorgenson's Viking heritage.

1947-48: Marshall Cooper dies peacefully in his sleep. His son Guy Cooper is named the new Commissioner of the League. As one of his first acts, Commissioner Cooper institutes a helmet policy in the League. The decision is not well met by the players or fans so a compromise is reached. The wearing of helmets is voluntary and recommended, but not required.

1950's

1950: The Detroit Mechanics begin the "Devil Season" of tough play. The Mechanics, a heavy, hard hitting team, earn the sobriquet Opponents take to calling them "The Devils from Detroit." Detroit easily wins the League Championship game 47-0 when their opponents, the Minnesota Bottlers, disgracefully avoid heavy hits on offense, preferring to "stumble" prior to the tackles. In the wake of the season, the Mechanics change the name of their team to the Devils and the majority of the Mechanics players are released or retire.

1952: Still reeling from the disgrace of their 1950 Championship loss, the Minnesota Bottlers after going 0-10 the following two seasons, fire the entire staff and team, abandoning their old name and uniform and returning as the Minnesota Reapers.

1953: Stan "Tex" Coleman, retired senator from Texas and football fanatic, raises the capital to form a football team. Dubbed the Dallas Aztecs, the state of Texas eagerly awaits entrance to the League. But Commissioner Guy Cooper is not interested in expansion. Determined to open the West to football, Coleman lays the groundwork for a West Coast League.

1955: Chicago Marauder's legendary halfback Eric Jorgenson collapses during a game against the Baltimore Bearcats. Two days later at the hospital he is diagnosed with a rare heart disorder. He dies six days later. Following his last wish, Marauder Stadium's gridiron is turned into a temporary lake and 110,000 watch as Jorgenson is given a symbolic Viking funeral. The funeral is broadcast nationally, sparking further interest in football across America.

1956: Stan Coleman announces the formation of the Western League with five teams including the Dallas Aztecs, Las Vegas Aces, Sacramento Cyclones, Los Angeles Lightning and Kansas City Crossfire. Public reaction to the new league is GeneRally positive. The original League, now called by many the Eastern League, takes note of their cross country rivals, but pays them little heed as neither league competes with the other's markets.

1957: Wes Coates of the Dallas Aztecs passes for over 3,000 yards in a single season, shattering the previous record. Other teams in both leagues begin to explore the pass-oriented style employed by the Aztecs, now commonly known as the Wes Coates Offense.

1958: A betting scandal rocks the Eastern League when a convicted organized crime boss boasts of his ties to football. An investigation leads to an indictment of League Commissioner Guy Cooper, who resigns and flees the country. David Kent, a former quarterback for the now defunct Boston Spirit is named the new Commissioner. He promises to take the League to the a new era of moral accountability and the next level professionally, and signs The League's first major television contact - for a few thousand dollars.

1960's

1960: Commissioner Kent ends the practice of "Ironman" football, with players playing both offense and defense. The move proves healthy for the League as it extends the careers of the players. The Western League implements this rule change the following year.

1962: Chuck "Skullcrusher" Koswolski of the New York Shamrocks shows wearing a helmet has its advantages, deliver five skull fractures and seven concussions on opposing players in a single season by spearing them with his helmeted head. More than 70% of the players in both leagues begin wearing helmets by the start of their next seasons.

1964: Commissioner Kent proposes allowing substitutions due to fatigue. Previously substitutions were only allowed for incapacitating injuries, also known as the "stretcher rule." Team owners reject the proposal as it would force them to expand the rosters of their teams. However, a compromise is agreed one where each quarter is now limited to 2 minutes each to PReVENT fatigue. This is the first major policy defeat for Kent since he became Commissioner.

1965: In what is dubbed an "exhibition game" the Eastern and Western Leagues play one another for the first time. The visiting Los Angeles Lightning lose to the New York Shamrocks in Brooklyn, New York. The televised game receives the highest ratings ever for a football game. Commissioners Kent and Coleman begin talking AbOUT future collaborations.

1966: The Kansas City Crossfire defeat the Minnesota Reapers 23-10 in the second cross-league exhibition game. Ratings surpass the previous year. The commissioners agree that the next year's exhibition game will be between the two league champion teams.

1967: Tragedy strikes the Eastern League when the Eastern champion New York Shamrocks, after defeating the Western champion Sacramento Cyclones in the annual exhibition game, are killed in a crash during their return flight. Only three players, who skipped the game due to injuries, survive. The event is burned into the memories of every New Yorker and football fans around the country when the NY Herald runs a front page photo of the burning wreckage with the headline "NY NIGHTMARE!!!" The caption would later become associated with one of the most storied franchises in the League.

1968: In the wake of the Shamrock tragedy, the Eastern League starts its 1968 season short one team. The remaining five teams wear black armbands with the letters NY in white. The Detroit Devils win the Eastern Championship in a game played in the NY Shamrock's old stadium.

1970's

1970: Los Angeles Lightning owner Hal Davison threatens to move his team out of Los Angeles unless the city builds him a modern stadium. The issue is put to a citywide vote and angry citizens, by an overwhelming majority, tell Davison not to let the door hit him on the way out. The team resettles in Tempe as the Arizona Outlaws.

1972: Baltimore Bearcat receiver Lawrence Saunders burns his draft card during a nationally televised interview. The next day, Saunders is arrested on the field at a Bearcat's home game vs. the Washington Redhawks in the middle of the third quarter. The Redhawks come from behind to overtake the Bearcats and win the game. Bearcats' owner Antonio Gerasi attempts to get the game results overturned and goes on to sue the federal government. He is unsuccessful, but when Saunders is killed in action in Vietnam six months later, it sparks a wave of anti-war protests.

1974: In what is billed as "The Hottest Battle of the Cold War", the USSR sends a team of football players to compete in an exhibition game against an All Star squad of Eastern and Western League players. In one of the bloodiest matches ever played, the USA wins 21-6 but suffers career ending injuries to three of their star players. In spite of the final score, both sides declare "victory" and the costly experiment is never repeated.

1975: As the number of East/West exhibition games continues to grow, fans begin clamoring for a merger. Little did they know that talks were already underway. The Washington Redhawks win the East League championship. The announcement of the merging of the Eastern and Western Leagues into a single league is greeted with resounding approval by the fans. The two five team leagues decide to bring back the two division system from the early 40's with assignments to Divisions I and II based on the final standings of both leagues at the end of the 1975 season.

1976: The Eastern and Western Leagues merge and become known simply as "The League" once again. Division I features The Washington Redhawks, Dallas Aztecs, Chicago Marauders, Kansas City Crossfire and Detroit Devils. Division II features the Las Vegas Aces, Baltimore Bearcats, Arizona Outlaws, Minnesota Reapers and Sacramento Cyclones. The Washington Redhawks win the first combined League championship. The Detroit Devils become the first team bumped down to Division II and are replaced by Division II winners the Baltimore Bearcats.

1977: The Kansas City Crossfire wins the Division I championship in an upset victory over the previous year's champion Washington Redhawks. After the game the League announces plans to add two additional teams, including a new team for New York, who has been without their beloved sport of football since the NY Shamrocks tragedy a decade earlier.

1978: The League proposes the name Crusaders for the expansion New York team, but the city rejects it out of hand. Drawing on The Famous headline from the 1967 tragedy, they declare the new franchise to be the New York Nightmare. The League sees the marketing potential and allows it. The name Crusaders instead goes to the expansion team in Cincinnati. A coin toss places New York in Division I and Cincinnati in Division II for the start of the next season.

1979: The New York Nightmare open their first season playing in the old Shamrock Stadium while [...] edge architect Dieter Haas begins work on the controversial masterpiece that will be the team's new home. The Nightmare finish in a surprising second place, losing the Division I championship game to Chicago.

1980's

1980: The Chicago Marauders repeat as League champions, sparking comparisons to legendary Chicago teams of the 1940s. Meanwhile, the charismatic mayor of San Diego, Arthur Rand, announces his intention to buy a professional football franchise. Financial backers line up behind him while the football world nervously wonders who the target of the acquisition will be.

1981: From first to worst. Two time Division I Champions Chicago come in dead last and are unceremoniously bumped down to Division II. Arthur Rand makes the owner of the financially strapped, Division II bottom dwelling Sacramento Cyclones an offer he can't refuse. As die hard loyalists in Sacramento protest, the team makes the trip down to San Diego.

1982: The New York Nightmare's stadium is revealed to America and the world. The towering neo-gothic structure seems half stadium and half cathedral. Ashes from the downed NY Shamrock crash site are said to have been liberally sprinkled under the foundation. Fans and city officials declare it a modern masterpiece. Every game sells out and the Nightmare win the Division I championship for the first time.

1983: Chicago Marauder Coach Larry Simms is tragically killed by an unknown gunman in the Windy City. It takes months to find a replacement, but when they do, it's a tough as nails defensive-minded coach on the rise: Chuck "Skullcrusher" Koswolski.

1984: Detroit Devil linebacker Chris DeAngelo breaks the neck of Dallas Aztec running back Pete Washington in game 2 of their Division II season. Washington dies on the way to the hospital. No charges are filed...

Until DeAngelo literally knocks Las Vegas quarterback Kyle Foster dead with a crushing helmet to helmet hit in game 7. The Vegas DA pushes for [...] charges. The Detroit DA quickly follows. DeAngelo is arrested and news editorials begin to wonder if the sport of football is too violent.

1985: A more subdued football league pays as much attention to their televisions as it does to their game plans as the trial of Chris DeAngelo unfolds. Found guilty on two counts of [...], the verdict is overturned by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and later bumped up to the Supreme Court. The League starts to make contingency plans to overhaul their game should DeAngelo ultimately be found guilty. Amidst all of the controversy, The Baltimore Bearcats, led by rookie QB sensation John Preston, defeat the Kansas City Crossfire to win the League championship.

1986: The Supreme Court declares the deaths of running back Pete Washington and quarterback Kyle Foster "Tragic accidents brought on by the realities of professional sports rather than the actions of any single player." Sports Related [...] is declared a misdemeanor rather than a felony, except in cases where intent to commit [...] can be proven. DeAngelo is sentenced to 200 hours of community service and continued counseling. The League breathes a sigh of relief.

1987: Chicago Marauder Coach Koswolski loses it during a press conference and begins yelling obscenities at reporters before throwing a chair. He's fired two days later after calling the owner a "spineless [...]." The team continues its downward spiral. The next two coaches each last a single season.

1989: Las Vegas Aces cornerback Deacon Taylor tragically collapses and dies while walking to the huddle. The autopsy shows that he died from cardiac failure brought on by overuse of steroids. [...] use in football is suddenly in the public eye and the public is not pleased.

1990s

1990: Percival Truman takes over as commissioner of the League. He steamrolls through a [...] policy that includes fines and suspensions for offenders that are caught. Mandatory weekly [...] testing for all players is implemented. Team owners, coaches, and players are blindsided by the sudden shift. The first round test results shock even those who were aware of the problem. The proposed list of suspensions and fines is said to be so vast as to be crippling to the majority of franchises. The Players Association responds by declaring a general strike until the policy is overturned. Truman refuses to budge and the players walk.

1991: The general strike over the League [...] testing policy continues. Zero ProgresS is made between the League commissioner and the Players Association. The owners, fearing that the ouster of Truman will lead to a federal [...] investigation, do their best to remain publicly neutral. Fans are divided over the issue. Some want to see their players return while others want them arrested.2

1992: As the football strike drags on into its 3rd year, venture capitalist and entrepreneur Clive Hanson seizes the opportunity to start up his own professional football league. The five team league includes the Seattle Reign, Carolina Copperheads, New England Regulars, Orlando Hammerheads and the Denver Grizzlies. Hanson smartly places his teams in cities without striking League franchises, avoiding hard feelings and potential lawsuits. New England, lead by former college superstar QB Damien Bell, beats Seattle 31-14 in the first "Scrub League" championship.

1993: With the bank accounts of both owners and players bottoming out and increased negative feedback from former fans, the League finally settles its disputes and implements a new [...] policy that fines teams for infractions but does not suspend players. League commissioner Truman declares the League fit to begin operations again in 1994. Scrub League president Clive Hanson publicly welcomes the return of the original League and begins back room wheeling and dealing with commissioner Truman. The New England Regulars repeat as Scrub League champions, beating the Orlando Hammerheads in a shootout, 47-35.

1994: The League makes its return to football. Hanson sells his controlling interest in the Scrub League and makes a mint. The new three Division system sparks renewed interest in the strike weary fans. The New York Nightmare wins the League Championship. Surviving family members from the perished NY squad present the Championship rings to the players in a moving ceremony. New England becomes the first Scrub team to move up to Division II. Chicago has the dubious distinction of being the first team bumped down to Division III and promptly fires its coach yet again.

1995: The New York Nightmare repeats as League champions, while the upwardly mobile New England Regulars make the jump to the elite Division I after only a single season in Division II. Revenues and television ratings show the newly revitalized three division League to be at its all time height of popularity.

1996: The Chicago Marauders continue their tradition of setting dubious records when, after an 0-2 start, they fire their coach at halftime of game three, trailing Baltimore 21-0. The shakeup turns the team around and they make it to the Division III championship, where they lose to San Diego but still post their best win/loss record since 1980. In Division I, New York fades towards the end of the season and fails to three-peat. The Seattle Reign wins its first League championship on the strength of its defense, which racks up a championship game record seven forced turnovers.

1997: Judd "The Stud" Crenshaw of the Carolina Copperheads is hit with a class action paternity suit after genetic testing positively identifies him as the father of children by two Copperhead cheerleaders and an additional three cheerleaders on opposing teams. Crenshaw T-Shirts and Jerseys become top sellers. Late Night Talk show hosts have a field day. Much to the chagrin of the players, the League Commissioner acts implements a no fraternization policy between players and cheerleaders, forcing such liaisons to become more discrete.

1998: The Dallas Aztecs capture their first League championship since the 1950s with a passing offense backed by the "Texas Bulls", the largest offensive line in League history, weighing in at an average of 375 lbs.. The New York Nightmare continues their downward spiral, getting bumped down to Division II for the first time in their history.

1999: When popular New England Regular QB Damien Bell is left in a vegetative state after a blindside hit, the League at last caves to pressure and makes helmets mandatory. A grandfather clause allows players with more than five years in the league the option to go without helmets, but after Bell's injury, only a few diehards and nut jobs take advantage of the clause.

2000's

2000: Bruno Bataglia is drafted by the Arizona Outlaws as the #2 pick overall, but fails to show up at the podium to greet his team on the nationally televised draft when his name is called because he passed out at the pre-party the night before. Incensed, the Outlaws rescind he pick, but the Baltimore Bearcats take a chance on the unstable but uniquely talented player.

The longest game in League history is played between the Chicago Marauders and the Arizona Outlaws. With the score tied at 14 at the end of regulation, the two teams batter each other for six more quarters. By the time the game mercifully ends with a Chicago field goal ten minutes into the 10th quarter, neither team is able to field eight men on offense or defense. Neither team recovers from the epic battle and they both finish near the bottom of Division III that year.

The League decides to change the rules, and have "Sudden Death" OT in the next season.

2001: Charges are levied against Las Vegas Aces owner Mike Marcioni that he pays his players a bounty for each serious injury they cause on the field, with season ending injuries worth double the normal bounty. The charges are never proven and the League commissioner issues a statement both denying and condemning the practice but rumors persist that bounties are common throughout the League.

2002: New York Nightmare Rookie sensation Quentin SandS is named defensive player of the year, the first time a rookie defenseman has received the honor. Riding a wave of popularity, Sands renegotiates his contract. Between his salary and endorsement deals, Sands propels himself to number seven on the list of highest paid sports and entertainment personalities in America. Quentin Sands jerseys move past those of Aztec star QB Julius Williams as the most popular.

2003: Bruno "Brutal" Bataglia, Captain of the Baltimore Bearcats "accidentally" severs the ear of Cincinnati Crusader Tight End Xavier Filmore after knocking his helmet off on a sideline hit and plowing him into a metal bench. Four weeks later when the teams meet for their second game of the season in Cincinnati, Bruno walks out of the tunnel and onto the field wearing a bloody severed ear on a chain around his neck. A near riot breaks out in the stadium and Bruno is escorted away by the police for his own safety. Though the ear later turns out to be fake, death threats start rolling in, earning unapologetic Bruno The Title of "Most hated player in football."

2004: Superstar Quentin Sands propels the New York Nightmare back into Division I, leaving a trail of battered and bleeding opponents behind him. Oddsmakers favor the Nightmare to surpass the defending champion Dallas Aztecs and win the League championship in their first season back in Division I.

The player creates a team, playing in Division 2, places lasts and therefore is sent to Division 3, after losing to the Nightmare. On the final play of that game, Sands makes a career ending injury on the player's team QB.

2004 Final Standings

  • Division 3 Champions: Carolina Copperheads
  • Division 3 Runners Up: Washington Redhawks
  • Division 2 Champions: New York Nightmare
  • Division 2 Runners Up: Minnesota Reapers
  • League Champions: Dallas Aztecs
  • Division 1 Runners Up: New York Nightmare
  • San Diego Cyclones bumped to Division 2
  • (Player created team) bumped to Division 3

2005: The season where the game takes place, with the player's created team (after Owner Lyman Strang wipes slate clean, changing the team's name, logo, hiring a new coaching staff, revamping most of the roster, etc) pulling off the biggest upset of all time, by winning every league divisional championship and playing a record 33 games.

  • Division 3 Week 1: League Defensive MVP Quentin Sands signs multi-million dollar deal to endorse Krash Gear athletic apparel.
  • Division 3 Week 2: League promises stiff fines for players abusing performance enhancers.
  • Division 3 Week 3: Attendance woes: While owner Lyman Strang promises a quick turnaround, the (player created team) are struggling with empty seats after their dismal season in 2004 that saw them dumped down to Division 3.
  • Division 3 Week 4: NY ready to challenge Dallas: The NY Nightmare are making the most of the Division 1 offseason, with free agent signings that put them in position to challenge defending champions Dallas when Division 1 play resumes.
  • Week 5: Battaglia Comments Raise Ire: Responding to complaints after stepping on the throat of Cincinnati RB Kwazi Mbutabe, Baltimore LB Bruno "Brutal" Battaglia said his only regret was that "Mbutabe is still breathing".
  • Division 3 Week 6: Reapers Enter Training Camp: With Division 3 at the half way mark, Division 2 teams are beginning their training camps. The Nightmare's ascent to Division 1 last season leaves the Minnesota Reapers heavily favored to take the Division 2 title.
  • Division 3 Week 7: (player created team) Exceeding Expectations: With the season more than halfway over, the (player created team) are putting in a stronger than expected showing. Owner Lyman Strang boldly predicted the (player created team) would make it back to Division 2 this season, though most pundits are skeptical.
  • Division 3 Week 8: Redhawk's Star Williams Arrested: Jacob Williams oh the Washington Redhawks was arrested last night in the nation's capital on substance abuse charges. William's agent and League officials declined to comment.
  • Division 3 Week 9: Battaglia On The Way Out In Baltimore? Controversial linebacker Bruno Battaglia may have finally crossed the line after verbally insulting both his coaches and the Baltimore ownership at a press conference following Sunday's game against the (player created team). Bearcat's coach Chuck Busick has publicly stated "There will be consequences."
  • Division 3 Week 10: Outlaws Clinch Division 3 Championship Berth: The Arizona Outlaws, lead by star wide receiver Tito Maas, are headed to the Division 3 championship game and a chance to continue on into Division 2.
  • League fines Cincinnati Crusaders 1.5 million for substance violations. Individual players were not named and Crusaders owner, Mimi LeClair, has vowed to appeal.
  • Division 3 Championship: Odds Favor the Outlaws: In spite of an astounding season the newly rebuilt (player created team) can't get any respect from sportscasters or Vegas odds makers who are heavily favoring the Outlaws to win the Division 3 Championship and continue on to Division 2.
  • Sands Rap Album to Debut: Defensive MVP Quentin Sands has wrapped recording on his hip hop opus "Served by San Quentin." Demand is already soaring for the album which hits stores later this month.
  • Division 2 Week 1: (player created team) Triumphs! The (player created team) marched boldly onto the Outlaws home field and stunned the crowd with a (player score) to (Arizona score) victory over the favored Arizona team. While the Outlaws hit the golf links the work is just beginning for the (player created team) as their unlikely season continues on into Division 2 play.
  • RB Forbes Predicts Victory: Division 2 play has yet to begin and already, Reapers RB Tony Forbes is predicting victory. "You'll see us in the championship game, guaranteed."
  • Division 2 Week 2: Battaglia Finds Home with the (player created team): Linebacker Bruno Battaglia, who became an unrestricted free agent after the Bearcats released him, has been picked up by the (player created team).
  • Diggs has no love for the (player created team): Vegas Aces star Kelvin Diggs has little respect for Division 2's newest addition, the (player created team) "The scrubs is where they came from and the scrubs is where I'm sending em back to." Diggs promised.
  • Division 2 Week 3: Reapers on a Roll: With a solid 2-0 start, the Minnesota Reapers, last season's Division 2 runners up, are looking every bit the favorites for this season's title.

Champions of The League

Before The League/Walker Vs. Cooper (1916-1937)

  • 1916: New York Shamrocks

The League 1 (1937-1956)

  • 1940: Chicago Scouts
  • 1941: Chicago Scouts
  • 1950: Detroit Mechanics

East Vs. West (1956-76)

  • 1950's?: West: Dallas Aztecs

Exhibition Games

  • 1965: New York Shamrocks (East) over Los Angeles Lightning (West) in Brooklyn, New York
  • 1966: Kansas City Crossfire (West) over Minnesota Reapers (East)

Exhibition Championship Games

  • 1967: New York Shamrocks (East) over Sacramento Cyclones (East)
  • 1968: Detroit Devils (East)
  • 1975: Washington Redhawks (East)

The League 2 (1976-1990)

  • 1976: Washington Redhawks
  • 1977: Kansas City Crossfire over Washington Redhawks
  • 1979: Chicago Marauders over New York Nightmare
  • 1980: Chicago Marauders
  • 1982: New York Nightmare
  • 1985: Baltimore Bearcats over Kansas City Crossfire

Scrub League (1992-1993)

  • 1992: New England Regulars over Seattle Reign
  • 1993: New England Regulars over Orlando Hammerheads

The League 3 (1994-present)

  • 1994: New York Nightmare
  • 1995: New York Nightmare
  • 1996: Seattle Reign
  • 1998: Dallas Aztecs
  • 2003: Dallas Aztecs
  • 2004: Dallas Aztecs Over New York Nightmare 3

Total Championships

New York Nightmare/Shamrocks: 5 (1916(B), 1967(E), 1982(2), 1994(3), 1995(3))

Dallas Aztecs: 4 (?1950's?(W), 1998(3), 2003(3), 2004(3))

Chicago Marauders/Scouts: 4 (1940(1), 1941(1), 1979(2), 1980(2))

Detroit Devils/Mechanics: 2 (1950(1), 1968(E))

Washington Redhawks: 2 (1975(E), 1976(2))

New England Regulars: 2 (1992(S), 1993(S))

Baltimore Bearcats: 1 (1985(2))

Kansas City Crossfire: 1 (1977(2))

Sacramento Cyclones: 1 (1967(W))

Seattle Reign: 1 (1996(3))

Notes/Trivia

  • The Sacramento Cyclones move to San Diego is described in a similar fashion to the real life move of the Indianapolis Colts from Baltimore.
  • The quick game section of BTL shows both the New York Nightmare and Dallas Aztecs helmets, and like most sports games that show the helmets of the teams that played in the championship, It's very likely that Dallas and New York played for The League Championship in 2004, with Dallas likely winning it (as it is stated in their team captain's intro and at the beginning of campaign mode)

See also

Blitz: The League

http://forums.midway.com/all_things_blitz_the_league/b10732/26805705/p1