Tennessee Titans history

The Titans franchise originated as the Oilers in Houston, Texas. Franchise Owner-President K. S. Adams Jr., was one of the founding fathers of the American Football League in 1959. Beginning play in 1960, the Oilers were the first AFL champions, winning back-to-back titles in 1960 and 1961. The Oilers missed a third straight championship in 1962 when they lost 20-17 to the Dallas Texans.

Over the years, the Oilers put together several great teams with Hall of Fame players and made it to the playoffs many times but could never make it to the Super Bowl, to the dismay of its owner.

Bum Phillips was hired as coach in 1975 and built a powerhouse Oilers team with stars that included Elvin Bethea and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson. Earl Campbell, one of the best fullbacks of his time, was drafted from the University of Texas in 1978, making the Oilers one of the most feared teams in professional football.

Bum Phillips led the Oilers to three straight playoff appearances in 1979, 1980, and 1981 including back to back AFC championship games, both lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Warren Moon years, brought Houston back into the playoff picture each year from 1987 thru 1993. As the Quarterback, Moon led the offense with precision passing and great field presence. Yet, the Oilers could not make it to the Super Bowl.

Seven former Houston Oilers stars are now members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The great George Blanda, who was the Oilers’ quarterback from 1960 to 1966, was the first to be inducted in 1981. Ken Houston, one of the history’s great safeties, was elected in 1986 and Earl Campbell, the punishing fullback, was picked in 1991.

Guard Mike Munchak, a first round draft pick in 1982, was inducted in 2001, and defensive end Elvin Bethea, the franchise’s all-time sack leader, was elected in 2003. In 2006, the franchise, all-time leading passer, Warren Moon, was elected into the Hall of Fame, and in 2007 Bruce Matthews was inducted.

Over the years, Adams had threatened to move the Oilers out of Houston, which he did for the 1997 season when he relocated the franchise to Tennessee and effectively keeping the name “Oilers” from being used by the City of Houston if the city ever got an expansion team.

The Tennessee Oilers played their 1997 home games at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis because their new stadium in Nashville would not be completed until 1999. Adams decided to play the 1998 season in Nashville, as opposed to Memphis, because the citizens of Memphis wanted a team to call their own and refused to support the Oilers.

The Oilers 1998 season was played at Vanderbilt University Stadium and it was decided that the team would change its name, due to overwhelming fan request, to the Tennessee Titans, beginning the 1999 season at their newly built stadium, the Adelphia Coliseum, now known as LP Field.

The change seemed to bring good luck because the Titans went on to win the AFC Championship that year behind quarterback Steve McNair and a potent offence and a very good defense. This earned the Titans their franchises first Super Bowl appearance.

Although the Titans lost the Super Bowl game to the St Louis Rams, it will be remembered as one of the all time great games because it went down to the wire when Titan wide receiver, Kevin Dyson, was tackled one yard shy of the end zone as time expired giving the win to the Rams.

The years since the 1999 season has seen the Titans remain in the playoff hunt but due to injuries and off the field distractions, the Titans have faltered as of late.

In 2005, the Titans had their worst franchise record, 4-12, since they moved to Tennessee but moved back up in the standing in 2006 to an 8-8 record with new quarterback, Vince Young, drafted from the University of Texas, at the helm.