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.
Tennessee Oilers Origin
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
- 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.
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.
Tennessee Oilers History
The Tennessee Oilers history is a unique chapter in professional football. The franchise began in 1960 as the Houston Oilers, one of the original members of the American Football League (AFL). They quickly made a mark by winning the first two AFL Championships in 1960 and 1961. This early success established them as a competitive team before the AFL-NFL merger.
After the merger in 1970, the Oilers joined the NFL. The team experienced ups and downs, highlighted by Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell’s dominant performances in the late 1970s. Despite periods of strong play, championships in the NFL eluded them. Relocation became a reality in the late 1990s when owner Bud Adams decided to move the team from Houston to Tennessee.
The 1997 Tennessee Oilers marked the beginning of this transition. They played in Memphis for one season and then at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville the following year. Attendance was low, and the “Oilers” identity did not resonate with Tennessee fans. In 1999, the franchise rebranded as the Tennessee Titans, with a new name and stadium, creating a fresh start for the team in Nashville.
Tennessee Oilers Achievements
The Tennessee Oilers history is also tied to the Titans’ later success. In 1999, the newly renamed Titans made a historic run to Super Bowl XXXIV, falling just one yard short of victory against the St. Louis Rams. That moment, known as “The Tackle,” remains one of the most famous plays in NFL history. The Titans have since added multiple AFC South titles and consistent playoff appearances.
Though short-lived, the 1997 Tennessee Oilers period was crucial in shaping the future of the franchise. It bridged the legacy of the Houston Oilers with the rise of the Tennessee Titans. Today, the team’s history honors legends like Earl Campbell, Warren Moon, Steve McNair, and Eddie George, while building new legacies for current generations. Fans can read more about the full franchise journey on the Tennessee Titans Wikipedia page.
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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