Chicago Pride Bowl LGBTQ+ flag football tournament held at Montrose Beach, presented by Metropolitan Sports Association, Bears
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — This weekend marked Pride in Chicago, and in addition to the vibrant festivities, the lakefront hosted one of the nation’s biggest LGBTQ+ flag football tournaments.

The Chicago Bears proudly returned for the second consecutive year to support the Pride Bowl, with athletes highlighting their participation for both the sense of community and the spirit of competition.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

At Montrose Beach in Uptown, the lakefront fields were transformed into a gridiron spectacle. The two-day Pride Bowl tournament attracted over 50 teams and hundreds of athletes from all corners of the country.

“I love to compete, and the people here are awesome,” said Oliver Bassir, who was visiting from California. “Everyone’s super welcoming, and made a lot of friends here, and it’s just a great environment to be in.”

Presented by the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association, Pride Bowl brings together players of all identities, competing across seven divisions.

“We bring six teams out here, and so this is our whole family,” said Mallory Williams, who was visiting from Texas. “We support each other throughout the entire tournament as a city… These are my people.”

The annual event uses a shared love of football to connect members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

For Joseph Owens from Washington, D.C., it was his seventh Pride Bowl. He said the event is a reminder of the power of visibility and support.

“It’s super important, representation-wise,” Owens said. “You know, I was a collegiate athlete, and so I didn’t get a lot of time to be myself. So being in a league like this is an amazing opportunity to just be myself and get to play football.”

While the message of inclusivity shines bright, make no mistake, the athletes were there to win.

“The competition is crazy also,” Williams said. “So it’s not that we can’t play football, because we come out here and we rough people up.”

The Bears helped support the Pride Bowl through club donations and volunteers. They’re also helping create awareness for the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association and its flag football league.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Aerial view of a fenced-in facility in a desert landscape.

Israel Reveals Some Iranian Underground Uranium Reserves Withstood Trump’s Assault, Warns of Potential New Strikes

ISRAEL says some of Iran’s highly-enriched near weapons-grade uranium stockpile survived US…
Gavin Newsom's Big Address to the Nation Was a Lie-Filled Disaster

Democrats Criticized for Supporting High-Density Housing Following California Wildfires

For quite some time, California Democrats have pushed for the development of…
Man in suit reviewing documents.

Evidence of Torture Discovered on Fired Putin Minister’s Body Before Alleged Suicide

The Kremlin has been charged with concealing the demise of a dismissed…
Neighbors complain about bad smell near Pullman Innovations Chicago factory near Torrence Avenue; Alderman Peter Chico to address

Alderman Peter Chico to Address Complaints of Foul Odor Near Pullman Innovations Factory on Torrence Avenue

CHICAGO (WLS) — The South Deering community is demanding answers after what…
Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazil over Bolsonaro presidential loss

Trump sets 50% tariffs on Brazil following Bolsonaro’s defeat in presidential race

The U.S. has had a trade surplus of more than $410 billion…
Aryna Sabalenka in heated Wimbledon moment with Amanda Anisimova

Tense Wimbledon Showdown: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova

Sorry, not sorry. The final stretch of Amanda Anisimova’s upset of top…
New Hampshire judge to pause Trump's birthright citizenship order

New Hampshire Judge Halts Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Directive

A federal judge in New Hampshire announced on Thursday that he will…
Measles outbreak: United States having worst year for measles in more than 3 decades, CDC says

Measles Outbreak: CDC Reports Worst Year in Over 30 Years for U.S. Measles Cases

The U.S. is experiencing its most severe year for measles transmission in…
Jeffrey Epstein's brother laughs at 'stupid' FBI memo defending controversial suicide ruling: report

Jeffrey Epstein’s Brother Mocks ‘Ridiculous’ FBI Memo Justifying Suicide Ruling: Report

Jeffrey Epstein’s brother has criticized federal investigators for their recent statement indicating…
US Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago field office touts progress after major fentanyl busts: ABC7 I-TEAM EXCLUSIVE

The Chicago DEA Highlights Success After Significant Fentanyl Seizures: An Exclusive Report by ABC7 I-TEAM

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team spoke exclusively with Chicago’s top drug…
Police searching for man who allegedly kidnapped 3-year-old son in east Alabama

Authorities Seek Man Accused of Abducting His 3-Year-Old Son in East Alabama

AUBURN, Ala. (WIAT) — Auburn police announced that they are searching for…
July 2025 Full buck moon in Capricorn: steady surrender

July 2025 Full Buck Moon in Capricorn: Embrace Stability and Letting Go

There’s a full moon rising in the grit and grind, strive and shine sign of the…