Tennessee Titans ended their worst NFL season in Houston Oilers’ “Luv Ya Blue” jerseys as they hosted the Houston Texas in Week 18. The Titans are 3-14 to end the season and well out of the playoff race, finishing the season with the No. 1 pick. On the other hand, the Texans have already clinched the AFC South and a playoff spot.
The clash between the Titans and the Texans had no effect on postseason fixtures, but it has been a hot talking point due to the Titans’ controversial uniform.
Why Are Tennessee Titans Wearing Houston Oilers Throwbacks in Week 18?
The Titans began as the Houston Oilers in 1960, but Bud Adams relocated the franchise to Tennessee in 1997. The franchise played as the Tennessee Oilers with the same logo and uniform. Adams changed things inside out as the franchise was rebranded, and the Tennessee Oilers became the Tennessee Titans after two seasons. However, he didn’t give up on the Oilers branding rights.
The uniform consists of white pants, the Oilers’ derrick logo on a white helmet and the Columbia blue jersey with “Luv Ya Blue” written on the inside collar. Last season, the Titans wore the “Luv Ya Blue” jersey in Week 15 and Week 17. They won their first game in that jersey as the Atlanta Falcons lost 28-23 to the Titans. It didn’t go their way when they wore it against the Texans for the first time. Tennessee lost the game 19-16 in overtime.
The #Titans will have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
New England won their game and lost the top pick. pic.twitter.com/aYkADLu12L
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 5, 2025
The Titans met the Texans in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL regular season but didn’t pull out their Oilers throwbacks. They recorded one of their three victories in that game. It turns out that Tennessee was saving last season’s tradition for the final game.
This week, they revealed their “Luv Ya Blue” jersey plans via their social media handles. The display profile of their X (formerly Twitter) handle was changed to the iconic red, white, and Columbia blue derrick logo.
Tennessee’s last home win in regulation was in Week 18 last season (28-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars). The overall Titans offense has been in a decline since 2021 when the team averaged over 30 points (this season: 18.6). The Titans are 7-of-20 on fourth downs this season (35%; they haven’t finished a season under 50% since 2019).
However, in 2024, a new piece of history was earned in their throwbacks. With their Week 18 loss to Houston, Tennessee secured the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with their Columbia blue on.
Titans Players on Wearing Oilers Throwbacks
The Titans’ plans to wear the Oilers’ throwbacks sparked various debates and discussions. DT Jeffrey Simmons opened up about it to the press on Wednesday.
“I think the real message behind it is [former Oilers players] didn’t feel like they had a home. Especially since the uniforms started in Houston and came here now with the Tennessee Titans. So it’s like, ‘Where do we have a home at?’ So with us wearing those uniforms, it means a lot and I know it means a lot to our former players who played in those uniforms.” he said.
“It’s our job not to get embarrassed in those uniforms. I’m sure that the Texans would love to embarrass us in that uniform, especially [after] what we did earlier this year to them,” Simmons added.
Receiver Calvin Ridley also shared his feelings about the “Luv Ya Blue” jersey: “I’m excited to play in those. I’m not gonna lie. I wish those were the main jerseys. They’re very, very nice.” he admitted.
However, former NFL safety lashed out at the Tennessee Titans after it was revealed that they will wear the controversial uniform on Sunday.
“We try to remain neutral around here, but I’ll be as frank as possible. I hope the Titans lose by 1,000 points today. The audacity, the gall to wear the Oilers uniforms, representing the team that you decided to stop being, and wearing them versus the city you abandoned,” he said.
“This is like if an ex packed up and fled in the middle of the night, but still sent you a holiday card once a year. C.J. Stroud, you may not be playing the whole game, but I speak for every Houstonian, and every fan of sport with any decency, any couth, when I say ‘Destroy them.’ Today, we are all Texans,” Veeren criticized.