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Here's what's really behind Oilers-Titans uniform controversy

Here's what's really behind Oilers-Titans uniform controversy
Have the Titans gone too far? Photo by George Rose/Getty Images.
Lost Ya Blue:  Returning the Oilers to Houston, and what it will take.

For longtime Houston Oilers fans living here, a couple of dates are seared into our collective memories.

Perhaps the most triggering would be 30 years ago – January 3, 1993. On that fateful, icy day, our clearly Super Bowl-bound Oilers fumbled a comfortable playoff game lead against the Buffalo Bills, instead fell 41–38 in overtime, set the then-record for largest comeback in NFL history, and may have set the wheels in motion for the team to leave the Bayou City.

That brings us to another PTSD date for true Oilers fans: November 14, 1998, when the Oilers officially changed their name to the Tennessee Titans, after then owner Bud Adams announced after the end of the 1995 season that the team was moving to Nashville. That divorce paved the way for what are how the Houston Texans.

Worst of all for Oilers fans, Adams — who bailed on Houston when he couldn't get city funding for a new stadium — and the Titans would always retain all the Oilers team records, iconography, and history.

A slap in the face (mask)

Let's visit a new egregious date for Oilers fans: July 23, 2023. That's when the Tennessee Titans unveiled the throwback Houston Oilers uniforms they'll be wearing during the season. As CultureMap news partner ABC13 rightfully points out, the unveiling came with some fighting words from the Titans:

“Columbia Blue and red have returned to their rightful home.”

Wha? Funny, none of us who were here remember legendary Oilers coach O. A. “Bum” Phillips strolling the sidelines in his Texas rancher getup — in Tennessee. We didn't cheer on Hall of Fame running back/human tank Earl Campbell nearly breaking opposing linebackers in half from a stadium in Nashville. We didn't party on Broadway when quarterback Warren Moon and our Run & Shoot Oilers teams won big and became toasts of the NFL's IYKYK crowd for their fearsome offense and defense.

In short, how the hell is Tennessee the rightful home for Columbia Blue and red?

The Titans clearly are jawing at Oilers fans in their choice of Luv Ya Blue uni model. Derrick Henry, the closest thing in the current NFL to beloved Oilers mauler Earl Campbell, poses in the photo with a caption, “Oil Derrick.” (Oh, they're so clever.)

A Columbia Blue-and-red dividing line

Many fans celebrated and threw shade at Houston in the comments — "Incoming triggered Houston fans" typed one, while others had a sense of empathy: “This low-key disrespectful.”

Cheers from Titans fans make sense, but one comment from former Houston Chronicle pro football writer John McClain — nicknamed “The General” here for his Oilers coverage during the glory days — seems noticeably tone-deaf or just pure clickbait.

Even McClain's former Chronicle sports writer John P. Lopez calls out his former colleague:

Not surprisingly, Justin James Watt — who's not from Houston but clearly bleeds H-Town — gets the pain and frustration felt by Houston Oilers fans. His tweet in support means far more than anyone else's, to many.

Tennessee will don these travesties uniforms for two home games, the team announced. No doubt, they'll be clad in Columbia Blue and red when the Texans face the Titans in Nashville for Week 15 on December 17. In a true twist of Luv Ya Blue fate, former Texans standout wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who lobbied for the Luv Ya Blue jerseys in Houston, is now on the Titans roster.

Have at it, Nashville

Here's the thing: Houston is the energy capital of the world. This is the home of Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, the world's greatest Medical Center, and the most diverse, dynamic, and friendliest populace in America. And let's not even get into Texas barbecue vs. Tennessee's.

According to current data, Houston's annual GDP is more than $537 billion. For a little comparison, the entire state of Tennessee produces around $367 billion. Houston is considered by many across the globe as a real world-class city and the greatest big-city opportunity market in America.

The Texans are reloading in a big way — on the field and off — with a just-signed franchise QB, a defensive monster, and a potential Coach of the Year — who hasn't even started yet. This is, after all, the home of Hakeem Olajuwon, Nolan Ryan, the two-time world champion Houston Rockets and Houston Astros, and the greatest pro football anthem ever. (Always worth a listen.)

Nashville is the home of ... Taylor Swift. But hey, that's something.

Houston has endured disrespects and slights forever and never missed a beat. While the country and world watched, we bravely weathered devastating hurricanes, pulled ourselves back up, and even opened our doors to others in need.

So, y'all can borrow our jerseys, Nashville. We're good.

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

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