A lot to the chagrin of followers in Houston, the Tennessee Titans will put on their Oilers throwback uniforms throughout Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Texans, which kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Based because the Oilers in 1960, the franchise spent 37 years in Houston earlier than transferring to Tennessee in 1997. The nickname remained for 2 extra seasons earlier than they grew to become the Titans in 1999.
Tennessee initially wore Oilers throwback uniforms in 2009 as a part of the AFL’s fiftieth anniversary, although the look was primarily based on their authentic design that included a Columbia blue helmet.
This 12 months’s design, nonetheless, honors the “Luv Ya Blue” era of the late 1970s with white helmets, Columbia blue jerseys with purple trim and white pants with stripes that match the helmet.
The uniforms made their debut in a 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 29 and almost returned for final week’s 38-27 win on the Miami Dolphins, though the NFL ultimately denied that request.
In the meantime, carrying them in opposition to the Texans solely rubs salt into the wound of these in Houston who declare possession regardless of the Texans being an growth franchise with no connection to the Oilers aside from taking part in in the identical metropolis.
The Oilers’ historical past – together with their logos, uniforms and light-weight blue and purple shade scheme – remained with the Titans after they moved. They even sent a cease-and-desist letter to the NCAA’s Houston Cougars after they wore Oilers-inspired uniforms this season.
