Tombstone
Born: October 23, 1973 – WFL founding franchise11974 Chicago Fire Media Guide
Folded: January 1975
First Game: July 10, 1974 (W 17-0 vs. Houston Texans)
Final Game: November 7, 1974 (L 49-24 @ Memphis Southmen)
World Bowl Championships: None
Stadium
Soldier Field (55,701)21974 Chicago Fire Media Guide
Marketing
Team Colors: Red, Black & White31974 Chicago Fire Media Guide
Television: WGN -TV (road games only)
Television Broadcasters: Vince Lloyd & Bill Berg
Radio: WJJD (104.3 FM)
Radio Broadcasters: Eddie Doucette (play-by-play) & Mike Pyle (color)
Ownership
Owner: Tom Origer
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
Chicago Fire
WFL Replica Jersey
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Background
Chicago apartment developer Tom Origer was the first man to buy into the World Football League in October 1973, paying a reported $440,000 to acquire his Chicago Fire franchise. It did not turn out to be a happy investment for the 41-year old builder.
The Fire featured a handful of names familiar to local football fans, including ex-Chicago Bears Virgil Carter (QB) and Jim Seymour (WR). Rookie receiver James Scott was a breakout star. After the demise of the WFL Scott would play seven seasons for the Bears from 1976 to 1983. Another rookie – Chicago native Mark Kellar – was one of the league’s most productive running backs until a mid-season injury.
Late Season Collapse & Demise
The Fire started out hot, winning seven of the first nine games in 1974. The team was also a fairly popular draw, averaging 29,220 fans for 10 home dates at Soldier Field, despite competing for fans with the Bears during the WFL’s fall season. But injuries and bad luck took their toll and the Fire lost their final 11 games to finish 7-13 in what would prove to be their only season. Origer, fed up, forfeited the team’s final contest rather than travel to Pennsylvania to play the Philadelphia Bell on November 13, 1974.
The team muddled along in semi-existence until January 1975, when Origer laid off the Fire’s final few staff members and closed up shop. The World Football League quickly put a new team into Chicago – the Chicago Winds – for the 1975 season. But the Winds went belly up after only 5 games in 1975, and the league itself closed down on October 22, 1975 without managing to complete its second campaign.
Rekindled
The Chicago Fire name and logo was revived for one season by an American Football Association franchise that set up shop at Soldier Field during the summer of 1981. Like the original Fire, this low budget minor league outfit lasted only one season.
In 1998, Major League Soccer expanded to the Windy City. The soccer club also adopted the Chicago Fire identity. The MLS side enters its 26th season of play in 2023.
Chicago Fire Shop
Our Favorite Stuff
Chicago Fire
WFL Logo T-Shirt
The Chicago Fire were a charter member of the World Football League in 1974. The team started off well, posting a 7-2 record in the first half of the season and drawing an average of 34,000 fans to Soldier Field. However, after a 10-game losing streak, owner Tom Origer forfeited the last game and subsequently folded the team. The Chicago Winds would represent the Windy City in the WFL’s second and final season in 1975. The Fire name and logo was recycled by a similarly short-lived minor league team that played at Soldier Field in 1981.
This Fire design is also available as a Hooded or Crewneck Sweatshirtright now at Old School Shirts!
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WFL MINI-HELMETS
Chicago Fire Mini-Helmet
This World Football League Mini Helmet is available through Royal Retros.
15 oz. mini helmet
Style worn by the Fire in 1974
Available in the classic helmet style by Schutt
Typically ships in 3-5 business days
Fulfilled by 417 Helmets
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Chicago Fire Video
A short clip of the Fire hosting the Jacksonville Sharks at Soldier Field on July 17, 1974. Virtually no other televised game footage of the WFL survives online today.
In Memoriam
Fire owner Tom Origer died of a heart attack at age 53 on January 23, 1987. Chicago Tribune obituary.
Fire head coach Jim Spavital passed away on March 7, 1993 at the age of 66. Tulsa World obituary.
Wide receiver Jim Seymour died on March 29, 2011 after battling brain cancer. He was 64. New York Times obituary.
Running Back Mark Kellar, who played for both the Fire and the Winds, passed away on November 23, 2023. Kellar advanced to the NFL and played three seasons for the Minnesota Vikings from 1976 to 1978. He was 71 years old when he passed.
Downloads
July 1974 Chicago Fire “Line of Fire” Newsletter
July 1974 Chicago Fire Newsletter
Links
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One Response
#startafire before @MLS @ChicagoFire there was the #WFL Chicago Fire http://t.co/iyI4RkQqKx @AndyCrossley88 http://t.co/hNUuin3zGv