NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was a bit strange to watch the Tennessee Titans embrace their Luv Ya Blue past while competing against the city of Houston’s current NFL team.
The former Oilers franchise relocated from Houston to Tennessee in 1997 under the direction of owner and founder Bud Adams and was originally called the Tennessee Oilers before rebranding to Titans as their new name.
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On Sunday, the Titans wore some spiffy Oilers throwback uniforms as former Oilers star wide receiver and kick returner Billy “White Shoes” Johnson was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime, with Oilers Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell attending the ceremony.
Before kickoff, Titans coach Mike Vrabel, a former Texans defensive coordinator, wore a cowboy hat reminiscent of the late Bum Phillips’ trademark sideline hat during his days coaching the Oilers.
The Texans won the game, 19-16, in overtime, which left them the last word on the uniforms.
“Hey man, I could’ve sworn those was ours,” said Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who recorded 2 1/2 sacks. “But, at the end of day, they can wear them. They took a ‘L’ in them. So, we can just continue to see who going to wear those eventually. If they going to pull those out again, I don’t know if it’s bad luck or whatever.”
“But they’re going to have to see us in two weeks. So, we’ll see if they got the white jerseys, a version of those, if they going to pull those out. I’m excited. It was a good look for them. But ultimately, they still got to come see us. Still got to play ball. I don’t care what uniform you’re wearing.”
#Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard on beating the #Titans in their Oilers throwback uniforms and on Jalen Pitre comment about what the dline was eating today 'Opportunity' He's up to career high 12 1/2 sacks in a contract year @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/ZIv7UsuzGr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 17, 2023
Retired Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, made his sentiments clear about the uniforms on social media.
“We get the uniforms back,” Watt wrote. “That’s how this works. I don’t make the rules. Sorry, not sorry. Too bad, so sad.”
We get the uniforms back.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 17, 2023
That’s how this works, I don’t make the rules.
Sorry, not sorry.
Too bad, so sad.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.