Friendly Encounters: Deena Fagiano, Shari Onley and Jim Strong

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

This picture is bittersweet for me.  It features three great people during fun times.

Jim Strong and I crossed paths at many celebrity and wrestling events, before we became friends a few years ago mainly through Resistance Pro.  He's a great photographer, as well as a good dude.

Shari Onley is the Aussie brought in to bolster the Bliss.  Deena Fagiano was the under-the-radar player on the Bliss.  I really like both of these ladies.

I am glad to have a hand in bringing Jim and many others to the Bliss.  I did my job in exposing the team to some new fans through their appearance at RPro and through my coverage of the team.  I think I did a lot of good for the team.

I also had a ton of fun with the Bliss.  I got a trip to Los Angeles, where Jack Keenan and I saw them win their second straight LFL championship.  I met a lot of great people (including some beautiful women).  I had a real appreciation for how athletic these women are and how hard they work.

I am no longer regularly covering the team.  The LFL owner eliminated all of the press, not just me.  I don't know what the deal is with him.  I don't know what his goal is.  I saw nothing but positive for what I brought to the table.

I miss the Bliss.  I miss the ladies, the coaches, the practices and all else.  I take with me the great memories and the lasting friendships though.  I would do it all agin, even if I knew the outcome ahead of time.  How else would I have met a wonderful woman from down under like Shari?  How else would I consider a young "Italian Stallion" like Deena a friend?

This is the reason Jim's picture is bittersweet for me.  I'd love to still be doing this stuff, but that's the way things go sometimes.  At least Jim is still going strong (no pun intended) with his Bliss fandom.

Shari Onley, Jim Strong and Deena Fagiano in Chicago, IL-June 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Shari Onley Meets Bonnie Gillespie

This is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

I knew of Bonnie Gillespie before I knew of Shari Onley, but I met Shari first.  I met Shari when she joined the Legends Football League champion Chicago Bliss.
Both beautiful women played for the New South Wales Surge for LFL Australia.  The Surge won that title last season.  I had been in contact with both women during the season.  I even got Bonnie to wear a Johngy shirt.
Shortly before the LFL US season started, Shari joined the Bliss.  While I'd like to take some credit for getting her here, I cannot.  The best I can do is say that I did know she was coming, before it was all announced.  I get some minor credit for having that scoop.
I don't work for the Bliss.  I only cover them.  I have no pull in getting Bonnie here, but some LFL team should try to get her here (and not just for my selfish goals).  We have seen the havoc and destruction these two can do as teammates.  Imagine the fun if they went head-to-head on the field.

Shari Onley and Bonnie Gillespie in Australia-Winter 2013.

Welcome to Chicago Shari Onley

I first heard of Shari Onley when I started to research the Legends Football League.  Shari plays for the New South Wales Surge in LFL Australia.  That would be the LFL Australian champion Surge.

Shari plays on the offensive line for the Surge and she played a big role in Bonnie Gillespie winning the league MVP award.  Shari was a force on the line for sure.

I befriended her on Facebook and started kidding her (and Bonnie) about coming over here.  She teased a rumor, but I thought she was just keeping me guessing.  A few weeks ago though, I got word that Shari was indeed coming to the U.S. and specifically the Chicago Bliss.  From champion to champion!

Of course, I had to request the first U.S. interview with Shari.  She politely agreed.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Shari Onley of the Chicago Bliss.

I was immediately impressed with Shari's athleticism, but I was also impressed with her personality.  In the interview, Shari mentioned that the team is a bit more sarcastic than the Surge, but Shari seems to be joining in on that already.  She is going to be a great addition to an already awesome Bliss team.

I am really looking foreard to seeing Shari play in a game.  I have seen her in practice and she is impressive.  The whole team is impressive.  Can you tell that I am itching for the games to begin?

Shari Onley and me in Darien, IL-March 2014.

On the Beat with Shari Onley of the Chicago Bliss

How does Shari Onley follow up the title she won with the New South Wales Surge in the Australian Legends Football League?  The plan is to help the Chicago Bliss win their second straight U.S. LFL title.

Onley was a major reason why the Surge won their championship and she looks to be a major reason for excitement for the Bliss chances of winning another one.  That is why she was recruited by the Bliss.

I have followed Onley's success in the LFL all the way from beginning to the title.  I even joked with her on Facebook about coming to Chicago.  Little did I know I was actually onto something.

The Bliss and Onley are keeping her position a secret, but no matter what it is, I know she will be an impact player.  With her athleticism and a season of LFL football under her belt, Onley will be a great addition to the already loaded Bliss roster.

I was very proud to get the first U.S. interview with Onley.  She talked about her Surge championship, her new team and more.

Now I am even more hopped up on the Bliss.  Their season opener is next Friday in Milwaukee.  I hope to see some of my friends up there.  Come join the fun!