---
slug: "tennessee-titans"
title: Tennessee Titans
depth_tier: program
side: UNIVERSAL
category: Teams
source_id: "NFL-0012"
created: 2026-05-12
updated: 2026-05-13
canonical: https://learningfootball.xyz/programs/tennessee-titans
aliases:
  - Tennessee Titans
  - Houston Oilers
  - Titans football
sameAs:
  - "https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/ten/tennessee-titans"
  - Q320484
  - "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Titans"
  - "https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/index.htm"
---
# Tennessee Titans

## Short Definition

AFC South franchise founded in 1960 as the Houston Oilers—relocated to Tennessee in 1997, known for the Music City Miracle and Derrick Henry's power running.

## Definition

The Tennessee Titans are an NFL franchise in the AFC South division, playing home games at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1960 as the Houston Oilers—one of the original AFL franchises—the team relocated to Tennessee in 1997 after decades in Houston and became the Titans in 1999. The franchise's history spans the AFL era, the merger, and the modern NFL across two states and multiple identities.

The Oilers era produced Earl Campbell, one of the most physically dominant running backs in football history, and a succession of competitive teams under head coach Bum Phillips that reached the AFC Championship twice. The franchise's Houston identity—the sky blue and red of the Luv Ya Blue era—remains beloved by fans who remember the Oilers as a civic institution.

As the Titans, the franchise reached Super Bowl XXXIV in January 2000, losing to the St. Louis Rams in a game decided by the iconic "one yard short" play—Kevin Dyson tackled at the one-yard line as time expired. The game is among the most dramatic Super Bowl finishes and cemented the Titans' arrival as a legitimate NFL franchise.

Derrick Henry's physical running style defined the franchise's modern identity—a power back who dominated the league in rushing yards while embodying the Titans' commitment to physical, gap-scheme football. Henry's transcendent size-speed combination made him one of the most discussed backs of his era before his departure to the AFC East.

## Example

"One yard short. Dyson tackled at the one as time expired—the Titans lost the Super Bowl by a single yard. That's how close Tennessee came. That play defines the franchise's modern era."

## Common Confusion

The Titans and the Oilers are the same franchise—the team did not cease operations and restart. The Houston Oilers relocated to Tennessee in 1997, played two seasons as the Tennessee Oilers, then became the Titans in 1999. The franchise's history, records, and championships from the AFL and NFL eras are continuous through the name changes.

## Related

- super-bowl-sunday
- lombardi-trophy
- nfl-films

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Source: https://learningfootball.xyz/programs/tennessee-titans