History of the Tennessee Titans facts for kids

The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the American Football Conference (AFC), in the South Division. Before they were the Titans, they were known as the Houston Oilers. The Oilers started playing in 1960 in Houston, Texas, as one of the first teams in the American Football League (AFL). The Houston Oilers won two AFL championships. Later, they joined the NFL when the AFL and NFL merged. In 1999, the Tennessee Titans had an amazing season. They reached the Super Bowl XXXIV but lost to the St. Louis Rams right at the goal line.

Team History

From Houston to Tennessee: The Oilers Years (1960–1996)

The Titans actually started as the Houston Oilers. They were one of the first eight teams in the American Football League (AFL). In 1970, the Oilers became part of the National Football League (NFL) when the two leagues joined together. They played in Houston until the end of the 1996 season. For their first ten years, they were in the AFL's Eastern Division. When they joined the NFL, they became part of the AFC's Central Division.

The Tennessee Oilers: A Temporary Home (1997–1998)

After the 1995 season, the team's owner, Bud Adams, announced the Oilers would move to Tennessee. This made many fans in Houston sad, and support for the team dropped in 1996. The team planned to play in a new stadium in Nashville, but it wouldn't be ready until 1999.

Because the new stadium wasn't ready, the team, now called the Tennessee Oilers, played for two seasons in Memphis. They used Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, which had 62,000 seats. The team practiced in Nashville and only traveled to Memphis for games. This meant they were like a "traveling team" for two years.

However, this arrangement didn't make many people happy. Fans in Memphis didn't want a team that would leave in just two years. People in Nashville didn't want to drive over 200 miles to see "their" team. Attendance at games in Memphis was very low, even lower than in Houston. Most of the fans who showed up were actually cheering for the opposing team.

After the 1997 season, Bud Adams was so embarrassed by the low attendance that he changed plans. He decided the team would play the 1998 season in Nashville at Vanderbilt Stadium. This stadium was smaller than NFL rules usually allowed, but the league made an exception. The team did better in Nashville, winning 6 of their 8 home games.

The Tennessee Titans: A New Identity (1999–Present)

A New Name for a New Era

On July 29, 1998, Bud Adams announced a big change. To better connect with Nashville and its fans, the Oilers would get a new name. He wanted a name that showed power, strength, and heroic qualities. After a contest, on November 14, 1998, Adams announced the team would be called the Tennessee Titans starting in 1999. The name "Titans" fit his ideas and also honored Nashville's nickname, "The Athens of the South." The team's new logo and colors were shown on December 22, 1998.

Jeff Fisher coached the Titans for nearly 17 seasons, from 1994 to 2010.

The Amazing 1999 Super Bowl Season

In 1999, the new stadium, now called Nissan Stadium, was finished. The newly named Titans had an incredible season, winning 13 games and losing only 3. This was their best season ever! They won their first game as the Titans in front of a sold-out crowd. In fact, every home game since they moved to Nashville has been sold out. They didn't lose a single game at home.

The Titans made it to the playoffs. In their first playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, they were trailing with only 16 seconds left. Then, something amazing happened, known as the "Music City Miracle". Tight-end Frank Wycheck threw a lateral pass across the field to Kevin Dyson on a kickoff return. Dyson ran 75 yards for a touchdown, winning the game!

The Titans then beat the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars to reach Super Bowl XXXIV. In the Super Bowl, they played the St. Louis Rams. In the final seconds, Kevin Dyson was tackled just one yard short of the end zone. This play, known as "The Tackle", ended the game, and the Titans lost 23–16.

Continued Success and Key Players (2000–2003)

In 2000, the Titans continued their success. They finished with the best record in the NFL (13 wins, 3 losses) and won their division title. However, they lost their first playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

In 2001, the team had a tougher year, finishing with 7 wins and 9 losses and missing the playoffs.

In 2002, the Titans moved to the new AFC South division. Even though they started the season with only 1 win and 4 losses, they turned it around. They finished with 11 wins and 5 losses and made it to the AFC Championship Game. They lost to the Oakland Raiders 41–24.

Eddie George was a tough running back for the Titans.

The Titans had another strong season in 2003, with 12 wins and 4 losses. They won their first playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. But they lost in the next round to the New England Patriots, who later won the Super Bowl. In 2003, quarterback Steve McNair was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player (MVP), sharing the award with Peyton Manning.

Challenges and Changes (2004–2010)

The 2004 season was tough for the Titans, with many key players getting injured. They finished with a 5–11 record. Due to salary cap issues, many important players like Derrick Mason and Samari Rolle had to leave the team.

In 2005, the Titans had the youngest team in the NFL. They finished with a 4–12 record.

In 2006, the team improved to an 8–8 record. Quarterback Vince Young led the team to an 8–5 record as a starter, including six wins in a row. They just missed the playoffs. Vince Young also won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Quarterback Vince Young played for the Titans from 2006–2010.

In 2007, the Titans started strong but then lost some games. They still made the playoffs with a 10–6 record. However, they lost to the San Diego Chargers in the Wild Card round.

The 2008 season was fantastic for the Titans. They started with an amazing 10–0 record! Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins took over after Vince Young was injured. They won their division, the AFC South, and secured the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Their final record was 13 wins and 3 losses, tying their best franchise record. But in the playoffs, they lost their home game to the Baltimore Ravens 13–10.

Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins played 43 games for the Titans.

The 2009 season started poorly with six straight losses, including a huge 59–0 defeat. After their break week, Vince Young became the starting quarterback again. The team then won five games in a row! Running back Chris Johnson had an incredible year, rushing for over 2,000 yards (2,006 yards). He became only the sixth player in NFL history to do so. The Titans finished the season with an 8–8 record.

Titans running back Chris Johnson was known for his speed.

In 2010, the Titans had an up-and-down season. They finished with 6 wins and 10 losses. Head coach Jeff Fisher and the team decided to part ways after this season. Fisher had been the head coach for over 17 seasons, leading the team through its moves from Houston to Memphis and then to Nashville.

Tough Times and Rebuilding (2011–2015)

After Jeff Fisher left, Mike Munchak became the new head coach in 2011. The Titans drafted quarterback Jake Locker and signed veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Running back Chris Johnson signed a big new contract. The team finished the season with 9 wins and 7 losses, but they missed the playoffs.

In 2012, the Titans finished with a 6–10 record. In 2013, Mike Munchak was fired after the team finished 7–9. The team's owner, Bud Adams, also passed away in October 2013.

The 2014 season was the first for new head coach Ken Whisenhunt. The Titans had their worst record in Tennessee history, winning only 2 games and losing 14. In 2015, the Titans drafted quarterback Marcus Mariota. Ken Whisenhunt was fired during the season, and Mike Mularkey became the interim head coach. The team finished 3–13.

Six Winning Seasons (2016–2021)

Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey made five straight Pro Bowls.

The 2016 season was Mike Mularkey's first full season as head coach. The Titans improved to a 9–7 record, but they missed the playoffs. Quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a broken leg late in the season.

In 2017, the Titans again finished 9–7 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2008! In the first round, they made an amazing comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs, winning 22–21 after being down 21–3 at halftime. Their playoff run ended with a loss to the New England Patriots. After the season, Mike Mularkey and the team agreed to part ways.

Quarterback Marcus Mariota led the Titans to the playoffs in 2017.

The 2018 season was the first under new head coach Mike Vrabel. The team also got new uniforms. They finished 9–7 for the third year in a row but missed the playoffs. Running back Derrick Henry had a record-tying 99-yard touchdown run in one game.

The 2019 season was the NFL's 100th year. The Titans started 2–4, and quarterback Marcus Mariota was replaced by Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill led the team to win 7 of their next 10 games, finishing 9–7 and making the playoffs. Derrick Henry had a career-best year, leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,540) and touchdowns (16).

In the playoffs, the Titans upset the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. Then, they beat the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens. Derrick Henry was amazing in both games, rushing for over 180 yards in each. The Titans reached the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2002 but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Running back Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing yards in 2019 and 2020.

The 2020 season was another strong one. The Titans started 5–0 for the first time since 2008. They finished 11–5, winning their division title for the first time since 2008. Derrick Henry had an incredible season, rushing for over 2,000 yards (2,027). He became only the eighth player in NFL history to do so, and the Titans are the only team with two players who have rushed for over 2,000 yards (Chris Johnson was the other). Henry also led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns for the second year in a row. In the playoffs, they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

The 2021 season saw the Titans win their division for the second year in a row, which hadn't happened since the early 1960s! They finished 12–5, earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs. However, their season ended with a close loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs.

End of the Winning Streak (2022)

The 2022 season started well for the Titans, with a 7–3 record. But then, they had a tough end to the season, losing seven games in a row. This was their worst losing streak since 2015. They finished with a losing record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Many key players, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill, were injured throughout the season.

Team Honors

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Titans have honored some of their greatest players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team will wear that number again.

(*) Began their time with the Houston Oilers

Pro Football Hall of Fame Members

These players and coaches who spent time with the Titans (or Oilers) are so great that they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

(*) Indicates Player and/or coach began their time with the Houston Oilers

Titans Hall of Fame

Bud Adams created the Titans/Oilers Hall of Fame to honor important players and leaders from the team's history.

(*) Indicates This Player or Coach Began Their Time in Houston