Tennessee Titans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tennessee Titans |
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| Basic info | |||||||||||||
| Established | August 14, 1959 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Nissan Stadium Nashville, Tennessee |
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| Headquartered | Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park Nashville, Tennessee |
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| Colors | Titans blue, navy, red, silver, white |
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| Mascot | T-Rac | ||||||||||||
| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Owner(s) | Adams family | ||||||||||||
| Chairman | Amy Adams Strunk | ||||||||||||
| CEO | Burke Nihill | ||||||||||||
| President | Burke Nihill | ||||||||||||
| General manager | Mike Borgonzi | ||||||||||||
| Head coach | Mike McCoy (interim) | ||||||||||||
| Team history | |||||||||||||
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American Football League
National Football League (1970–present)
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| Championships | |||||||||||||
League championships: 5
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Conference championships: 1
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Division championships: 11
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| Playoff appearances (25) | |||||||||||||
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The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team located in Nashville, Tennessee. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The Titans play their home games at Nissan Stadium. The team is also planning to move to a new stadium, also called Nissan Stadium, which is expected to be ready in 2027.
The team started as the Houston Oilers in 1959. Bud Adams, a Houston businessman, founded the team and owned it until 2013. The Oilers began playing in 1960 in Houston, Texas. They were one of the first teams in the American Football League (AFL). The Houston Oilers won the first two AFL championships and four division titles. They joined the NFL in 1970 when the AFL and NFL merged. Famous players like Earl Campbell and Warren Moon led the Oilers to many playoff games from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.
In 1997, the team moved to Nashville, Tennessee. They played temporarily at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee, for one season. The team then moved to Nashville's Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998. For these two seasons, the team was known as the Tennessee Oilers. They changed their name to the Titans for the 1999 season. This was when they moved into their new home, Adelphia Coliseum, now known as Nissan Stadium. The Titans' practice facility is in Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville.
The Titans played in Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, but lost 23–16 to the St. Louis Rams. Led by stars like Steve McNair and Eddie George, they reached the playoffs often from 1999 to 2003. More recently, from 2016 to 2021, the Titans had six winning seasons in a row and made it to the playoffs four times. The Titans are special because they are the only NFL team to have two players rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season: Chris Johnson in 2009 and Derrick Henry in 2020.
Contents
The Story of the Tennessee Titans
Starting as the Houston Oilers
After trying to get an NFL team in Houston, Bud Adams started the Houston Oilers in 1959. They were one of the first eight teams in the new American Football League (AFL). The Oilers played their first games at Jeppesen Stadium and later moved to Rice Stadium.
With quarterback George Blanda leading the way, the Houston Oilers played in the first three AFL championship games. They won the first two AFL championships against the San Diego Chargers. However, they lost the 1962 American Football League Championship Game in a close double-overtime game. After some tough years, they made it back to the AFL championship game in 1967 but lost to the Oakland Raiders. The Oilers then moved into the Astrodome, becoming the first pro football team to play in a domed stadium.
In 1970, the AFL joined with the NFL. The Houston Oilers became part of the new American Football Conference (AFC). In 1978, the Oilers picked running back Earl Campbell first in the NFL draft. Campbell helped the team reach the playoffs three years in a row. He was the best offensive player in the NFL for those three seasons. The Oilers made it to the AFC championships in 1978 and 1979 but lost both times to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Oilers struggled for a few years until quarterback Warren Moon joined in 1987. With Moon and Hall of Fame linemen Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews, the Oilers made the playoffs six times in a row. In 1993, they were part of a famous game known as "The Comeback." The Oilers had a huge 32-point lead against the Buffalo Bills but ended up losing in overtime. This is still the biggest lead ever lost in a playoff game. After the 1993 season, Moon left the team. The Oilers then drafted quarterback Steve McNair and running back Eddie George, who became key players for many years.
Becoming the Tennessee Oilers
After the 1995 season, Bud Adams announced the team would move to Tennessee. A new stadium in Nashville was not ready until 1999. So, the team, now called the Tennessee Oilers, played two seasons at temporary stadiums. In 1997, they played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. The team was based in Nashville and traveled to Memphis for games.
Games in Memphis had very low attendance, sometimes fewer than 18,000 people. For the 1998 season, the Tennessee Oilers played their home games at Vanderbilt University's stadium in Nashville. That year, they almost made the playoffs but lost their last two games.
The Tennessee Titans Era Begins
During the 1998 offseason, the team decided on a new name. On November 14, 1998, they announced the new name: the Tennessee Titans. This name honors Nashville's nickname, "Athens of the South," which refers to its classical buildings and many colleges.
The 1999 season was amazing for the Titans. They made a thrilling run to Super Bowl XXXIV. Coach Jeff Fisher and quarterback Steve McNair led the team to a 13–3 record. Their playoff journey included the famous "Music City Miracle" win against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, a last-second play with a lateral pass led to a touchdown. The Titans reached the Super Bowl but lost closely to the St. Louis Rams, falling just one yard short of tying the game.
In the early 2000s, the Titans had mixed results. They made the playoffs several times with stars like Eddie George and Jevon Kearse. However, the team faced challenges and went through rebuilding periods. After McNair left in 2005, the Titans drafted quarterback Vince Young in 2006. He led the team to the playoffs in 2007. In 2008, Kerry Collins took over as quarterback and led the Titans to a league-best 13–3 record. They made the playoffs but lost in the divisional round.
The 2009 season was special because running back Chris Johnson ran for over 2,000 yards. He was only the sixth player in NFL history to do this. Johnson also broke a record for the most total yards from scrimmage in a season. After the 2010 season, many key players and coaches left.
In 2015, the Titans drafted quarterback Marcus Mariota. He became the team's main quarterback for the next four seasons. Mariota, along with players like Delanie Walker and Taylor Lewan, led the Titans to three winning seasons from 2016 to 2018. In 2017, the Titans returned to the playoffs for the first time in years. They won their first playoff game since 2003, coming back from a big deficit against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Titans started a new chapter in 2018 with head coach Mike Vrabel. In 2019, Ryan Tannehill became the starting quarterback, and running back Derrick Henry became a superstar. Henry led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns. The team reached the AFC Championship Game in 2019. Derrick Henry won the Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2020 after rushing for over 2,000 yards. The Titans won their division with an 11–5 record that year.
In the 2021 season, the Titans finished with a 12–5 record and won their division again. They earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. However, their season ended with a close loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2022, the Titans had their first losing season since 2015. They started 7–3 but lost their last seven games. The 2023 season ended with a 6–11 record. After the 2023 season, Mike Vrabel was no longer the head coach. Brian Callahan was the team's head coach for the 2024 season. Key players like Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill left the team after the 2023 season. For the 2025 season, Mike McCoy is the interim head coach.
Team Colors and Logos
When the team started as the Houston Oilers in 1960, their logo was an oil rig. This logo stayed mostly the same until 1999. It was once called "Ol' Riggy."
The Oilers' uniforms usually had blue or white jerseys with red trim and white pants. From 1966 to 1971, they wore silver pants to match their helmets. Later, they often wore light blue pants with white jerseys for away games. Their helmets were blue, then silver, and finally white before the team moved.
From 1997 to 1998, as the Tennessee Oilers, the team used a different logo. It mixed parts of the flag of Tennessee with the oil rig. They mostly wore white uniforms for home games during this time.
When the team became the Titans in 1999, they got a new logo. It was a circle with three stars, representing the three main parts of Tennessee. Inside the circle was a large "T" with flames, like a comet. This connects to the Greek myth of the Titan Prometheus, who gave fire to humans. Their new uniforms had white helmets, red trim, and either navy or white jerseys.
On March 27, 2025, the light Titans blue jersey was brought back as the team's main home jersey. The navy blue jerseys are now worn only when the opposing team wears white. The standard home uniform is light blue with navy blue pants. For away games, they wear white jerseys with either light blue or white pants.
Exciting Rivalries
The Titans have rivalries with the three other teams in their AFC South division: the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts. They also have historic rivalries with former division opponents like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills.
Divisional Rivals
Jacksonville Jaguars
The rivalry with the Jaguars started in 1995 when the Titans were still the Houston Oilers. It was very intense in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Both teams were very successful then. In one season, the Jaguars lost only three games, and all three were against the Titans. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Titans have won more games in this series.
Houston Texans
The Titans' rivalry with the Houston Texans is especially important in Houston. This is because the Titans used to play in Houston as the Oilers. The Titans won most of the early games in this rivalry. However, the games have been more even in recent years. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Titans lead the overall series.
Indianapolis Colts
Since the AFC South division was created, the Titans and the Colts have been big rivals. In 2011, the Titans beat the Colts twice after losing to them 11 times in a row. In 2018, the Colts beat the Titans in the last game of the season. This win helped the Colts make the playoffs and kept the Titans out. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Colts have won more games in this rivalry.
Conference Rivals
Buffalo Bills
The Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills were in the same division in the AFL. They both won AFL titles. Even after the teams moved to different divisions in the NFL, their rivalry stayed strong. Two of the most famous playoff games in Titans history were against the Bills. These include "The Comeback" in 1993 and the "Music City Miracle" in 2000. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Titans lead the all-time series.
Baltimore Ravens
The Titans and the Ravens started a rivalry in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This rivalry became even more exciting when former Titans quarterback Steve McNair joined the Ravens. Since 2002, the Titans and Ravens have played each other five times in the playoffs. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Ravens have won more games in this series.
Historic Rivals
Pittsburgh Steelers
After moving to the AFC Central division, the Titans developed a rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were the Oilers' main division rival for many years. By the 2020s, the Titans had played the Steelers more than any other NFL team. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Steelers lead the all-time series.
Titans Team Spirit and Traditions
The "Flameheads" Fans
During the Titans' first season in their new stadium, fans in the end zone started wearing headwear that looked like flames. These fans became known as "Flameheads." This tradition became very popular during the Titans' successful years, especially when they went to Super Bowl XXXIV. Flames are important to the team because in Greek Mythology, the Titan Prometheus stole fire and gave it to humans.
Cheerleaders and T-Rac the Mascot
The Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders represent the team in the NFL. They perform at every home game at Nissan Stadium and often appear with the team's mascot, T-Rac. There are 28 cheerleaders, and they perform many dance moves and exciting stunts. They also attend community events in Tennessee.
T-Rac is the team's raccoon mascot. He first appeared in 1999. The raccoon is the state animal of Tennessee. T-Rac is at every game at Nissan Stadium and performs at community events.
Fun Stadium Traditions
During the fourth quarter of every home game, the stadium plays a video of "office linebacker" Terry Tate. He shouts his famous line, "The pain train's coming!" This is followed by the song "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash.
After every Titans first down at Nissan Stadium, the big screen shows a scene from the movie 300. In the scene, the Spartans chant after King Leonidas asks, "What is your profession?" Titans fans then chant "OOH! OOH! OOH!" three times.
Titans Hall of Fame: Honoring Legends
In 1999, Bud Adams created a Hall of Fame to honor past players and team leaders. It was later renamed the Oilers/Titans Ring of Honor in 2008. Many great players and coaches have been inducted.
| Oilers/Titans Ring of Honor | ||||
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| Players | ||||
| Inductee | Position | Tenure | Year Inducted | |
| Elvin Bethea | Defensive end | 1968–1983 | 1999 | |
| George Blanda | Quarterback Placekicker |
1960–1966 | 1999 | |
| Earl Campbell | Running back | 1978–1984 | 1999 | |
| Mike Holovak | Executive Scout |
1981–1999 | 1999 | |
| Ken Houston | Safety | 1967–1972 | 1999 | |
| Mike Munchak | Guard | 1982–1993 | 1999 | |
| Jim Norton | Safety Punter |
1960–1968 | 1999 | |
| Bruce Matthews | Guard Center Offensive tackle |
1983–2001 | 2002 | |
| Warren Moon | Quarterback | 1984–1993 | 2006 | |
| Bud Adams | Owner | 1959–2013 | 2008 | |
| Eddie George | Running back | 1996–2003 | 2008 | |
| Steve McNair | Quarterback | 1995–2005 | 2008 | |
| Frank Wycheck | Tight end | 1995–2003 | 2008 | |
| Robert Brazile | Linebacker | 1975–1984 | 2018 | |
| Jeff Fisher | Head coach | 1994–2010 | 2022 | |
| Bum Phillips | Head coach | 1975–1980 | 2022 | |
| Floyd Reese | Coach/general manager | 1986–2006 | 2022 | |
| Billy "White Shoes" Johnson | Kick returner | 1974–1980 | 2023 | |
Season-by-season records
Source:
Meet the Titans Players
Who's on the Team Now?
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Tennessee Titans roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters |
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Honored Jersey Numbers
The Titans have retired several jersey numbers to honor their greatest players. This means no other player on the team will wear these numbers.
| Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Titans retired numbers | ||||
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| No. | Player | Position | Years played | Retired |
| 1 | Warren Moon | QB | 1984–1993 | October 1, 2006 |
| 9 | Steve McNair | QB | 1995–2005 | September 15, 2019 |
| 27 | Eddie George | RB | 1996–2003 | September 15, 2019 |
| 34 | Earl Campbell | RB | 1978–1984 | August 13, 1987 |
| 43 | Jim Norton | S/P | 1960–1968 | 1968 |
| 63 | Mike Munchak | G | 1982–1993 | November 6, 1994 |
| 65 | Elvin Bethea | DE | 1968–1983 | August 4, 1983 |
| 74 | Bruce Matthews | G | 1983–2001 | December 8, 2002 |
Titans in the Hall of Fame
Many former Oilers and Titans players and coaches have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is a special place that honors the best players in NFL history.
| Houston Oilers / Tennessee Oilers / Titans Hall of Famers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | ||||
| No. | Inductee | Class | Position | Seasons |
| 16 | George Blanda | 1981 | QB / K | 1960–1966 |
| 29 | Ken Houston | 1986 | S | 1967–1972 |
| 35 | John Henry Johnson | 1987 | FB | 1966 |
| 34 | Earl Campbell | 1991 | RB | 1978–1984 |
| 18 | Charlie Joiner | 1996 | WR | 1969–1972 |
| 63 | Mike Munchak | 2001 | G | 1982–1993 |
| 87 | Dave Casper | 2002 | TE | 1980–1983 |
| 65 | Elvin Bethea | 2003 | DE | 1968–1983 |
| 1 | Warren Moon | 2006 | QB | 1984–1993 |
| 74 | Bruce Matthews | 2007 | G | 1983–2001 |
| 78 | Curley Culp | 2013 | DT | 1974–1980 |
| 12 | Ken Stabler | 2016 | QB | 1980–1981 |
| 52 | Robert Brazile | 2018 | LB | 1975–1984 |
| 84 | Randy Moss | 2018 | WR | 2010 |
| 68 | Kevin Mawae | 2019 | C | 2006–2009 |
| 73 | Steve Hutchinson | 2020 | G | 2012 |
| 81 | Andre Johnson | 2024 | WR | 2016 |
| Coaches and executives | ||||
| Inductee | Class | Position | Seasons | |
| Sammy Baugh | 1963 | Head coach | 1964 | |
| Sid Gillman | 1983 | Head coach | 1973–1974 | |
Texas Sports Hall of Fame Members
Some players from the Houston Oilers era are also in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
| Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Titans Ring of Honor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Name | Position | Years | Inducted |
| 65 | Elvin Bethea | DE | 1968–1983 | December 9, 1999 |
| 16 | George Blanda | QB | 1960–1966 | |
| 34 | Earl Campbell | RB | 1978–1984 | |
| — | Mike Holovak | GM | 1989–1993 | |
| 29 | Ken Houston | S | 1967–1972 | |
| 63 | Mike Munchak | G | 1982–1993 | |
| 43 | Jim Norton | P | 1960–1968 | |
| 74 | Bruce Matthews | G | 1983–2001 | December 8, 2002 |
| 1 | Warren Moon | QB | 1984–1993 | October 1, 2007 |
| — | Bud Adams | Owner/founder | 1959–2013 | September 7, 2008 |
| 27 | Eddie George | RB | 1996–2003 | October 27, 2008 |
| 9 | Steve McNair | QB | 1995–2005 | |
| 89 | Frank Wycheck | TE | 1995–2003 | |
| 52 | Robert Brazile | LB | 1975–1984 | October 14, 2018 |
| — | Bum Phillips | Coach | 1975–1980 | September 26, 2021 |
| — | Jeff Fisher | Coach | 1994–2010 | November 21, 2021 |
| — | Floyd Reese | Coach/GM | 1986–2006 | |
| 84 | Billy "White Shoes" Johnson | WR | 1974–1980 | December 17, 2023 |
Team Records: Top Players
Here are some of the all-time leaders for the Titans in passing, rushing, and receiving yards, as of the end of the 2024 season.
Passing yards (regular season) (as of the end of the 2024 season)
- 1. Warren Moon (33,685)
- 2. Steve McNair (27,141)
- 3. George Blanda (19,149)
- 4. Dan Pastorini (16,864)
- 5. Ryan Tannehill (14,111)
- 6. Marcus Mariota (13,207)
- 7. Vince Young (8,098)
- 8. Kerry Collins (6,804)
- 9. Ken Stabler (5,190)
- 10. Pete Beathard (5,128)
Rushing yards (regular season) (as of the end of the 2024 season)
- 1. Eddie George (10,009)
- 2. Derrick Henry (9,502)
- 3. Earl Campbell (8,574)
- 4. Chris Johnson (7,965)
- 5. Lorenzo White (4,079)
- 6. Hoyle Granger (3,514)
- 7. Steve McNair (3,439)
- 8. Mike Rozier (3,426)
- 9. Charley Tolar (3,277)
- 10. Ronnie Coleman (2,769)
Receiving yards (regular season) (as of the end of the 2024 season)
- 1. Ernest Givens (7,935)
- 2. Drew Hill (7,477)
- 3. Ken Burrough (6,906)
- 4. Charley Hennigan (6,823)
- 5. Haywood Jeffires (6,119)
- 6. Derrick Mason (6,114)
- 7. Delanie Walker (5,888)
- 8. Frank Wycheck (4,958)
- 9. Nate Washington (4,591)
- 10. Drew Bennett (4,033)
The Coaching Team
Head Coaches Through the Years
Meet the Current Coaches
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→ Coaching staff |
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Catching the Games: Radio and TV
The main radio station for the Titans Radio Network is WGFX 104.5-FM. Taylor Zarzour is the play-by-play announcer. Former Titans assistant coach Dave McGinnis provides expert commentary during games. The Titans Radio Network broadcasts on 70 stations.
In 2011, the Titans made a deal to have their home games broadcast on SiriusXM.
Most preseason games are shown on WKRN-TV, the ABC station in Nashville. They also have The Mike Vrabel Show weekly. These preseason games are shown on a network of stations across Tennessee.
For regular season games, Nashville's CBS station WTVF shows most games. This is because CBS has the rights to many AFC games. Fox station WZTV shows home games against NFC teams. NBC station WSMV-TV broadcasts Sunday Night Football games. WKRN shows the team's Monday Night Football games.
Radio Stations for Titans Games
See also
In Spanish: Tennessee Titans para niños
