- 1997
- 1998
- 1998
- 1998
-
Move to Nashville
After the 1996 season, the Houston Oilers announced they would be moving to Nashville for 1997. The Oilers’ new stadium would not be ready until 1999, however, and the largest stadium in Nashville at the time, Vanderbilt Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University, seated only 41,000 too small even for temporary use. Vanderbilt was also unwilling to allow for ... -
The team wins its first game in Nashville
In September 1998: The team moves to Nashville and plays at Vanderbilt Stadium. The team wins its first game in Nashville, defeating the San Diego Chargers 13–71. -
The team wins three consecutive games at Three Rivers Stadium
In October 1998: The team wins three consecutive games, including a 41–31 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium. -
Owner Bud Adams announces that the team will be renamed the Tennessee Titans
On November 14/1998: Owner Bud Adams announces that the team will be renamed the Tennessee Titans starting in 1999.
History of the Oilers
The Tennessee Oilers, now known as the Tennessee Titans, has a long and storied history in the NFL. Founded in 1959 as part of the American Football League (AFL), they were one of eight original teams to join today’s National Football League.
In their first season, they finished with an 8-6 record under head coach Lou Rymkus and made it to their first AFL Championship Game before losing 20-17 against Houston Oilers. Despite making it to three more championship games throughout their time in the AFL – all losses – they never won a title during that era.
After joining forces with other former AFL teams into what is now known as “the merger” between NFL and AFL teams, The team was renamed from Houston Oilers to Tennessee Oilers due to relocation from Texas City. They played two seasons at Vanderbilt Stadium while waiting for construction on Adelphia Coliseum (now Nissan Stadium) to be completed; then moved there for the 1997 season onwards until the present day when the franchise changed its name again - this time becoming the famous Titans moniker we know today.
During those two years away from home, fans witnessed some memorable moments, such as Steve McNair's rookie year performance which resulted in him being selected 3rd overall pick by Baltimore Ravens later on, or Eddie George taking over starting role after an injury suffered by Chris Chandler's early 1998 campaign. In 1999, the new stadium brought renewed hope and disappointment since, despite good regular season results, the team failed to make playoffs yet again... That same year marked the end of Bud Adams' tenure as an owner. He bought the club in 1960 when he founded them along with seven other franchises forming the original American Football League organization.
Despite its struggles through much of its existence—including no Super Bowl wins—the legacy left behind by past players like Earl Campbell has kept alive many great memories among loyal fans who still cheer on the current roster every Sunday come fall time each year!
Oilers Products
Established
1960
City
Houston - Nashville
League History
1970 - Present / National Football League
1960 - 1969 / American Football League
Team History
1999 - Present / Tennessee Titans
1997 - 1998 / Tennessee Oilers
1960 - 1996 / Houston Oilers
Nickname
Oilers - Tennessee Oilers fans know their beloved team has a unique name and an even more exciting story. The Tennessee Oilers, now known as the Tennessee Titans, were initially called the Houston Oilers when they joined the NFL in 1960.
The nickname was chosen to honor Houston’s history of oil production and exploration. This connection is further reinforced by their original logo, which featured a derrick with three stars representing Texas’s past, present, and future in oil drilling technology. The colors used for this logo were blue (the sky), white (the clouds), yellow (oil), and green (the land).
However, after nearly 40 years of being based out of Houston, owner Bud Adams decided to relocate his team from Texas to Nashville in 1997 due to stadium issues with Reliant Stadium. As part of this move, he also changed the name from “Oilers” to “Titans." Despite this change, many still refer fondly to those days when they were known as "The Oilmen."
Today whenever you hear about or see any reference made towards Tennessee's football team, it will always be referred to as either "Tennessee Titans" or simply "Titans." However, no matter what you call them, one thing remains constant: They are still proud members of all our sports fanatics here in our great state!
Championship
Super Bowl 0
AFL Championship 0
1961, 1960
Stadium
2016 - Present / Nissan Stadium
2007 - 2015 / LP Field
2002 - 2006 / The Coliseum
1999 - 2002 / Adelphia Coliseum
1998 / Vanderbilt Stadium
1997 / Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
*Houston*
1968 - 1996 / Houston Astrodome
1965 - 1967 / Rice Stadium
1960 - 1964 / Jeppesen Stadium
Owner
2013 - Present / KSA Industries
1960 - 2013 / Bud Adams
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
1 / Warren Moon
9 / Steve McNair
27 / Eddie George
34 / Earl Campbell
43 / Jim Norton
63 / Mike Munchak
65 / Elvin Bethea
74 / Bruce Matthews
*Blue is this team’s history
