Friend Encounters: Coop, Jess Price and DiA'ndra Frye

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Today's feature goes back to the glory days of the Chicago Bliss. Playing in the Legends Football League, the Bliss had won consecutive league championships. Players Jess Price and DiA'ndra Frye were rookies in 2014.

Similarly, the Schaumburg Boomers had won championships in 2013 and '14. Founded in 2011, the Boomers gained a lot of success and fans early on. Brining in Jess and DiA'dra to toss a first pitch had to help. Had I known, I would have been there. I love my Bliss athletes!

The mascot of the Schaumburg Boomers is Coop, a prairie chicken. Legend states Coop was born in the shadows of Mt. Rushmore. Coop's ancestors are a variety of birds that used to live on prairies throughout the midwest. Greater Prairie Chickens are known for their dances. Coop took his dancing all over, eventually landing in Schaumburg, because he was attracted to the baseball hats featuring Greater Prairie Chickens.

While they weren't chickens, Coop seemed very happy to be surrounded by Jess and DiA'dra. I'm not sure how the pitch went, but I would bet the players did great. I know they wouldn't be afraid. If you've seen them on the football field, you know they were never chicken.

The Boomers open their season May 13. Go to BoomersBaseball.com for more info. Check back here for more recurring mascot fun.

Jess Price, Coop and DiA'ndra Frye in Schaumburg, IL-Summer 2014.

The "Or Else" Podcast: Episode 18: Girl Girls Girls

The latest episode of The "Or Else" podcast is on SoundCloud. Episode 18: Girls Girls Girls is jam-packed with all sorts of fun stuff.

Tommy Else and I discuss the Second Annual Samuel J. Thompson Tournament, which featured eight woman battling for a spot on the Resistance Pro roster. The night also included a Battle Royal, Tommy's record-setting match and much more.

This night also represented my biggest accomplishment within the RPro world. I facilitated the appearance of the Legends Football League champion Chicago Bliss.

I had been covering both the Bliss and RPro and it seemed like a great opportunity to merge both worlds and do a little cross-promotion. It was especially timely, considering this event featured the women's tourney.

I approached Tommy, then the Baron brothers, then Bliss coach Keith Hac and everyone loved the idea. The Bliss players also were excited about the possibility.

Most of the team was able to arrive early and mingle with the fans. Both RPro and the LFL had stated that the team would not get involved with actual wrestling, although the plan was for the Bliss to be part of the group of women surrounding the ring (aka lumberjills) for the tournament final. That part went well, but the overall plan went out at the end, when the Bliss ended up in the ring in a sort of standoff with some of the RPro women.

I was very nervous heading into the event, hoping all would go well. It actually went better than I could have hoped. I think everyone had a great time. The Bliss players were awesome all night and I think some really wanted to mix it up in the ring.

Sometimes things just all fall into place. This was one of those nights. This was one of the best nights I ever had at an RPro event.

This was the first of a few crossover events between the Bliss and RPro. There was a real energy there between the two and the fanbases overlapped. It seemed like a natural fit and it was.

Check out The "Or Else" podcast Episode 18: Girls Girls Girls on SoundCloud. If you missed any older episode or want to hear all of them again, you can check the main page of The "Or Else" podcast on SoundCloud.

Kira Brabeck, Aubrey Nelson, Jess Price, Emma Kuhns, Jori and me in Willowbrook, IL-February 2014.

Barwick, Massey, Johngy & Price In the Ring and On the Field

A few years ago, I helped facilitate a few cross-promotional events involving the Chicago Bliss and Resistance Pro Wrestling.   I am very happy to have helped, but to be honest, it was a no-brainer.

Both sides took to it immediately, as have the fans of both.  Looking at their fan bases, you can see a lot of similarities, just like there are similarities between the organizations.  In short, it just made sense.

This produced some of the most fun I have had with either group.  It was so much fun for me, but I also saw both sides and both fan bases having a good time.  Seeing the ladies of the Bliss as Lumberjills in a match will always be one of my great memories.

I have written before that I think the Bliss women would like to actually get in on the action.  Why not?  They are athletic and tough.  Of course, they are not trained wrestlers and I know what goes into being a pro wrestler.  People don't just jump in and start wrestling matches.  Still, I think there could be a place for the Bliss to get involved.  Until then, they seem happy on the gridiron, where they have won two of the last three Legends Football League titles, while appearing in four straight championship games.

Jamie Barwick, Katy Massey, Jess Price and and me in Willowbrook, IL-April 2014.

Bliss-full Johngy

I have professed my respect, love and admiration for the Chicago Bliss many times over the years.  The picture below shows it isn't strictly a one way street either.

Many of the past Bliss players requested a Johngy shirt.  At one practice, three members of the squad wore their Johngy shirts, presenting me with a unique photo opportunity.

Now former players Kira Brabeck and Jess Price sandwiched me, while current Bliss standout Dominique Collins also joined the shot.  That's four Johngy shirts (three of them looking great on these beautiful, athletic women).

Even better than the cool photo op is the appreciation I felt. When covering a team (or person or organization), you never look for or expect big signs of appreciation.  You do your job and enjoy it for what it is.  If you're lucky, you will get an occasional "thank you."

The Bliss are one of the exceptions to that thought though.  They have shown me appreciation many times in many ways.  I would have to say though, that three Johngy clad Bliss players will forever be one of my favorite memories.

For more info on the Bliss, check out LFLUS.com.  You can also count on me featuring them regularly right here.

Dominique Collins, Kira Brabeck, me and Jess Price in Darien, IL-May 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Eric St. Vaughn and Jess Price

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Eric St. Vaughn is one of the longest-tenured wrestlers at Resistance Pro.  ESV is currently half of the tag champs Body Magic (with partner Brady Pierce).
ESV is one of the hardest working people I have ever seen.  Whether he is wrestling, training, promoting or anything else, he gives it his all.  Sometimes, he might even give too much for his own good, but those who are lucky to be part of his life, appreciate him as a friend.
At a promotional event for the Chicago Bliss last year, ESV met Jess Price, one of the talented and lovely rookies on the team.  Like ESV, Price worked very hard to earn her spot on the team and on the field.  These two are very much like eash other in that respect.
This is one of those times when worlds collided.  I am happy to be connected with both ESV and Price and their respective organizations (RPro and the Bliss).  They are good people and good organizations.
I highly encourage everyone to check out ResistancePro.com and LFLUS.com to learn more about their organizations and to get news on their events.

Eric St. Vaughn and Jess Price in Downers Grove, IL-May 2014.

On the Beat with Jess Price of the Chicago Bliss at the 2015 Tryouts

The Chicago Bliss are back and they are still hungry.  Not content with merely winning back-to-back Legends Football League championships, they are determined (and guaranteeing) to get the threepeat!

We attended the tryouts for the 2015 team last Saturday.  It was great to see so many returning veterans from the championship team.  This team is definitely poised for the threepeat.  There are a few open spots though and the Bridgeview Dome had a bunch of athletic women trying to gain one of those spots.

We spoke to second year Bliss player Jess Price.  At last year's tryouts, Price was an eager athlete trying to earn a spot.  She not only made the team, but she made some significant contributions during the season.

We talked to Price about her feelings after winning the Legends Cup as a rookie, her thoughts on the new home for the Bliss and more.  Price is always a fun interview and this was no different.

We are back on the Bliss Beat and we are so excited about the upcoming season.  After you watch the interview, check out LFLUS.com for all of the info and updates on the Bliss and the rest of the league.

Jess Price Was Right For the Chicago Bliss

Tomorrow the Chicago Bliss hold tryouts for the 2015 season.  A little over a year ago, the Bliss held tryouts for the 2014 season and one of the many there was Jess Price.  Jess would go on to earn a spot as a wide receiver/safety and be a big part of the 2014 championship season.

Jess brought a lot to the team on and off the field.  She practiced hard and played hard and did it all with a great attitude.  Jess certainly earned her place on the team and earned a spot in the hearts of all Bliss fans.

I had the pleasure of interviewing her several times.  The first interview was before a practice early in the year.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Jess Price of the Chicago Bliss.

The quest for the threepeat starts tomorrow.  I can't wait to get out to the tryouts and see the potential new rookies.  Time will tell if any of them measure up to the likes of Jess and her rookie teammates from last season.  The 2014 rookies left big shoes to fill.

Jess Price and me in Ontario,CA-September 2014.

Chicago Bliss Week (Game 2): Johngy Support

My relationship with the Chicago Bliss is not your usual reporter-team relationship.  That's okay with me though.  Actually, that is great with me.

I don't have to be an unbiased reporter.  I love the Bliss.  I respect these women and the entire Bliss staff, too.  The ladies are as tough as can be.  The coaches are completely dedicated to the team and the players follow that lead.  It really is an awesome experience to be around all of this.

I almost wrote "a part" of all of this.  I will not stretch it quite that far.  I am not part of the team, but I have been accepted and, dare I say, embraced by the team.

There have been many instances when members of the Bliss have done something extra nice for me.  These instances are very much appreciated.

One such instance occurred at a practice a couple months ago.  Jack and I passed out the Johngy shirts to a few of the ladies and they immediately donned them and joined me for a photo.

Thank you Dominique Collins, Kira Brabeck and Jess Price.

I love this photo for so many reasons.  I love the rainbow of Johngys (or is that Johngies?)  I love that three Bliss players are wearing a Johngy.

Most of all, I really love what it represents.  These women did not have to take a shirt.  They did not have to pose.  They did not have to pose together with me.  Yet they did it all.

I appreciate the show of support.  I think they do appreciate what I do and the picture shows that.

I know I appreciate the team.  These women deserve your appreciation, too.  Come out to their game tonight.  I can't guarantee they will wear one of your shirts (if you have one), but I am pretty certain they will take pictures with you.  Most importantly, they will give you one great football game to watch.

Dominique Collins, Kira Brabeck, me and Jess Price in Darien, IL-April 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Scotty Young Meets the Chicago Bliss

This is a weekly series about friends who have met celebrities.

Scotty Young is one of the rising young stars at Resistance Pro Wrestling.  His long-running feud with Jake O'Neill  brought them both into the spotlight.  They both stepped up and really showed the fans and R Pro management what they could do in the ring.  Both men have bright futures in the wrestling business.
Scotty is a bright guy, too.  While most of the Friendly Encounters have one or two friends meeting a celebrity (or two), Scotty upped the ante by posing with five membrs of the Chicago Bliss.  That's about a third of the team.  Way to go, Scotty!
Actually these ladies are all rookies for the Bliss.  Much like Scotty, they are young stars of the future.  They even spent a few minutes in the R Pro ring, helping D'Arcy Dixon fend off Mickie Knuckles and some others.
The next Bliss game is Friday, June 13.  Unfortunately, the next R Pro event is the same night.  They are both winners.  Go to one of them.  You will not be disappointed.  Just ask Scotty!

Jori, Katy Massey, Scotty Young, Aubrie Nelson, Bridget McDonnell and Jess Price in Willowbrook, IL-February 2014.

On the Beat with the Chicago Bliss at the 2014 Kickoff Party

The Chicago Bliss finally kickoff their 2014 season this Friday night against the Los Angeles Temptation.  The team held a kickoff party at Gnarly J's in Downers Grove, IL and JohngysBeat.com was there to cover it (okay, we were there for the fun...and to cover it).

That's not all though.  Our friends at Resistance Pro Wrestling were there supporting the Bliss and promoting their next event, "Savage Amusement."  With two great organizations at a lively bar, you know it was a fantastic night.

I decided to take a rest from my interviewing duties and I recruited R Pro's Eric St. Vaughn.  Usually ESV is the man being interviewed.  He is the man of 40,000 views, too.  He has been pressed into interviewing duties a couple times in the past, but he really worked it this night.

ESV talked to Bliss veterans Nneka Nwani and Deena Fagiano, as well as rookies Bridget McDonnell and Jess Price.  He also managed to get Head Coach Keith Hac.  Nicely done ESV and thank you for your excellent service.

Below are the resulting interviews.  If these don't get you pumped for Friday's game, I would be shocked.  I was already on board with the Bliss but these interviews got me even more stoked.

These women are beautiful, athletic and focused.  Look out LA.  The Bliss are ready to defend their 2013 LFL title.

On the Beat with the Chicago Bliss-02/10/2014

The Chicago Bliss entered their second month of practices as they prepare to defend their 2013 Legends Football League title.  Coach Keith Hac has already guaranteed a repeat and the path to the 2014 title starts with these practices.
As much as I look forward to the actual games, these practices have been very interesting.  I see veterans busting their butts as they strive to be bigger, faster, stronger (that's my recurring theme for them).  I see rookie prospects learning and pushing themselves.
Some of the coolest things are seeing the veterans helping the rookies.  I have seen many occasions where one of the vets took time to give a little one-on-one talk to a rookie.  It is all about making the team better.  I have heard many rookies say that even if they can't make the team, at least they pushed the veterans.
The good of having so many women attend the tryouts is that the Bliss will be comprised of the best of the best.  The bad part is several talented, eager, nice women will not make the cut.  Coach Hac and his staff have some tough decisions, but I know that the final roster will be the best group to chase the 2014 title.
At the 2/10 practice, we talked to veteran Yahshi Rice, along with rookie prospects Lindsey Mikulecky, Jess Price, Jeanne Knepper and Kira Brabeck.  Rice gave us her thoughts on 2013 and 2014, while we talked to the rookies about their path to the Bliss.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoy doing them.  The Chicago Bliss are a blast.  They are hard-working, tough, and entertaining.  I strongly encourage everyone to get on the Bliss bandwagon and enjoy the ride.