You will notice the Tennessee Titans are wearing a different uniform against the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Houston Oilers moved to Nashville in 1997 and were called the Tennessee Oilers when they played at Vanderbilt. The nickname changed to the Titans when the team moved to a new stadium in 1999.
This is the second time this season the team has worn the Oilers’ throwback jerseys. Tennessee defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 when rookie Will Levis threw four touchdown passes in his first start.
Time to put on that Columbia blue pic.twitter.com/g91A1nQCuZ
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans)
When Was This Jersey First Worn?
The base of the throwback uniforms that the Titans are wearing dates back to the first season in 1960 when Houston was in the AFL. The two main elements that were always a part of the Oilers’ uniform were a light blue jersey and an oil derrick logo on the helmet.
The main color of the helmet started as light blue and changed to silver in 1966 before going back to light blue in 1972. The Oilers’ helmet changed to white in 1975 and stayed that way until the nickname changed to the Titans in 1999.
What Is ‘Luv Ya’ Blue?
One of the most memorable times in the uniform was “Luv Ya Blue,” a rallying cry for the fans and team during the late 1970s. Head coach Bum Phillips, running back Earl Campbell, and linebacker Robert Brazile led the Oilers during this era.
MORE: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart
Phillips was 55-35 with three playoff appearances in six seasons as the Oilers head coach. Campbell led the NFL in rushing for three straight seasons, from 1978 to 1980. Robert Brazile made seven straight Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice.
The Oilers made the AFC Championship game in 1978 and 1979 but lost each time to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who went on to win the Super Bowl both years.
Why Can Tennessee Wear Houston Uniforms?
The Oilers’ history, including statistical records and uniforms, moved with the team to Tennessee and remained with the nickname change to the Titans. Team records date back to the franchise’s first season in 1960. If Will Levis was trying for the franchise record for touchdown passes in a season, he would be chasing George Blanda’s record set in 1961.
The Houston Texans team records and history started as an expansion franchise in 2002. Outside of playing in Houston, the Texans have no historical connection to the Tennessee Titans.
The Cleveland Browns are allowed to use the nickname, uniforms, and team records even though the franchise moved to Baltimore after the 1995 season. The city and NFL worked out an agreement that the Browns’ history and nickname would remain with Cleveland in hopes of getting another franchise.
The NFL expanded in 1999 and added the Cleveland Browns. All the Ravens team records and uniforms start with the franchise’s first season in Baltimore.
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