The Tennessee Titans are throwing it back to their roots this season. Preparing for their big reveal this weekend, the team posted a teaser video on Twitter, which depicts oil covering their Titans blue uniform.
The Titans social media account also shared a clip of various helmets with old Oilers logos. Prior to their move to Nashville, the Oilers were the NFL team in Houston.
The Houston Oilers played in Texas from 1960 to 1996 when owner Bud Adams opted to ship the team to Tennessee. The largest city in the Lone Star State didn’t get a new team for several years. Since that move, the team in Houston hasn’t made it past the divisional round of the playoffs.
Early reports suggested they might sport the throwbacks versus the Texans, but that is no longer the plan, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com.
Although several other teams, including the Colts, Lions and Buccaneers, have already revealed their throwback uniforms for the season, Tennessee is dragging it out for maximum impact. Despite their best efforts, a leak may have spoiled the surprise.
JJ Watt: ‘It pains me for Houston and those fans’
Former Texans defensive end J.J. Watt gave props to all the creative takes on the throwback uniforms coming out, but noted that the Titans uniform will “pain him” to see.
One commenter posted: “Why would that pain you? You were never a part of the Oiler franchise. Great player but this whole ‘Hou owns the Oilers’ has to stop. If Houston would have shown up and supported that team, Bud would never have left.”
“I lived in Houston for 10 years,” Watt responded. “My first training camp I met Bum Phillips. I was coached by Wade. I’ve seen firsthand how much the people of Houston loved the Oilers. Earl [Campbell], Bruce [Matthews], Warren [Moon], Dr. Doom [Robert Brazile], etc. Luv Ya Blue is real.
“So yeah it pains me for Houston and those fans.”
The divisional rivals will play each other twice during the 2023 season. The first matchup is on Dec. 17 in Nashville, followed by a game in Houston two weeks later on New Year’s Eve.
The Titans went 7-10 last season after 12-5 and 11-5 finishes in the previous two seasons. They return quarterback Ryan Tannehill after he played 12 games in 2022 due to injury. He appears ready to start again but he also has Malik Willis and Will Levis nipping at his heels.
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