The 1987 Chicago Bruisers season was the first season for the arena football franchise. The Bruisers took a chance with a young team that averaged 25 years of age.^[1] The Bruisers' lost their first game in franchise history, 44–52 in overtime, to the Denver Dynamite.^[2] The Bruisers struggled in their second game, giving up 45 points in the first half before losing 23–60 to the Pittsburgh Gladiators.^[3] Despite getting off to a 2–3 start, the Bruisers had an opportunity to make it to ArenaBowl I with a win in the final week of the season against the Dynamite.^[4] The Bruisers however would lose 35–52. They finished with a record of 2–4 and failed to qualify for the playoffs.