Here’s a bit of a history lesson for some of you younger Tennessee Titans fans. Once upon a time, long before there was a football franchise in Memphis, there were the Oilers from Houston. Ladies and gentlemen, that was a sight to behold for both good reasons and bad ones.
There are the memories every Oilers fan has of Warren Moon and Earl Campbell. Unfortunately, there were devastating postseason collapses as well.
As if losing to Joe Montana, Marcus Allen, and the Kansas City Chiefs in Houston’s final home playoff game wasn’t bad enough, that still pales in comparison to losses like the one they endured in Denver versus the Broncos, thanks to some late-game heroics by John Elway and, of course, there’s always being on the wrong side of the largest rally in NFL postseason history.
It hasn’t been all bad as an Oilers/Tennessee Titans fan.
While Titans fans are still waiting on that first Super Bowl win, here’s what you also have to understand. It hasn’t always been rosy, but life hasn’t been terrible as a fan of the AFC South’s current best team either.
Look, at least you weren’t born Detroit Lions or Cleveland Browns fans. Truthfully, their fans deserve better but if you’ve been following this squad since their days in Texas, you’ve got a pretty good handle on knowing that downtimes will come, but the Titans always rise again. Hey, at least your team has been to a Super Bowl!
The ups and downs are just a part of the process of what it takes to be an NFL fan, but no, you can’t tell the story about the Titans without bringing up the Oilers. You also can’t talk about a recent rule change without talking about the way a Titan paid homage to one of the greatest Oilers ever.
A.J. Brown does Tennessee Titans fans proud after a recent NFL ruling.
Once upon a time, the NFL was often referred to as the ‘No Fun League’. Some of you may disagree with that. Some of you may not, but if you’re on the side that the NFL was a little rigid, you’ve, no doubt, been enjoying some subtle changes.
Nike took the outfitting rights from Reebok so they could design those cool-looking jerseys. The league has changed how they handled celebrations, and now, the NFL is even changing its policy on the numbering of jerseys.
Thanks to a recent ruling, the National Football League has loosened restrictions on which numbers certain positions can wear. The proposal was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, defensive backs can wear the numbers 1-49. Defensive linemen can wear 50-79 and 90-99. Linebackers can suit up with the numbers 1-59 and 90-99.
On the other side of the ball, running backs, tight ends, fullbacks, and wide receivers can wear the numbers 1-49 and 80-89 while offensive linemen can wear 50-79. There was some question about whether or not A.J. Brown would don the number 1 again, but that number was retired in honor of the great Warren Moon. For Brown, there’s no need to even ask for permission to slap it on.
https://twitter.com/1kalwaysopen_/status/1384976883360673799
None of us needed another reason to like this guy, but there’s another one. He just gets it. He’s a guy that’s worth cheering for, and he respects the game and its legends. What more could you ask for from one of the faces of your franchise?
Don’t worry Mr. Brown. Everyone’s certain that there will be number 11 jerseys all over Nissan Stadium, and if that isn’t enough. Know this. Somewhere, there are a few future stars of tomorrow that are looking to rock your number when they take the field as well. Now, go out and carb=ve your own legacy!