The story behind the titans reveal oil throwback costume

Nashville – “The history of Mzyatry is the history of the Titans.”

Those are the words of Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk a year ago, when the organization was exploring the possibility of an Oilers uniform, with the classic Derrick Oilers logo on the helmets.

The possibility has turned into a reality, and now fans of the organization can see it for themselves.

The Titans would wear the same uniforms as the Houston Oilers for nearly two decades in Houston, until 1998, when the franchise also wore them as the Tennessee Oilers. The uniform represents the Oilers’ longest-running uniform in franchise history, and is arguably their most beloved uniform.

The uniform will pay homage to the Luv Ya’ Blue era.

“It allows us to honor as many players as we can, because it covers a lot of time,” said Surf Melendez, Vice President and Executive Creative Director of Titans. “It also marks our transition to Tennessee, because we wore this uniform in Tennessee as well.”

The Giants will wear the uniforms for two games this fall, both of which are at home. The organization inquired about wearing it to a road game in Miami as well, but that didn’t seem like it would come off.

The Oilers’ light blue jerseys will replace the Titans’ light blue jerseys as the third jersey, joining the navy and white uniforms.

Amy Adams Strunk said last year that the team wanted to continue honoring the franchise’s history. The organization has honored Houston Oilers players at alumni events in past years, and there are a number of Oilers in the franchise’s Ring of Honor.

The Houston Oilers left for Tennessee after the 1996 season and played a year in Memphis, in 1997, before playing in Nashville at Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998. The Tennessee Oilers became the Tennessee Titans in time for the 1999 season.

“The history of the oil-growers is the history of the titans,” Strunk said last year. “We know our fans feel passionate about displaying this legacy on match day, and are actively working to make throwback jerseys possible in the near future. Stay tuned!”

Those who stay connected will see this:

– The Columbia Blue jerseys have red and white on the numbers, and names on the back, with a red, white and light blue stripe on the sleeves.

– White helmets, with the famous oil derrick, with red face masks and red stripes out with a thick light blue stripe at the top.

– White pants, with red stripes on each side of a thick light blue stripe down the side.

– Red and white stripes on light blue and white socks.

“Luv Ya Blue” will be on the back neckline of the jersey.

Players will have the option to wear red sleeves, red gloves, and red cleats to add to the look.

They’ve already dressed Titans Derrick Henry, safety Kevin Byard, linebacker Jeffrey Simmons and quarterback Ryan Tannehill — they even took part in a photo shoot earlier this season.

“They loved them,” Melendez said of the current Titans. “They really liked them.”

Former oil workers saw them, too—Warren Moon, Robert Brazile, and Elvin Bethea got a peek when they were in Nashville for a graduate event last year.

“They took them in, and that took them back,” Melendez said of the former Oilers. “Guys who were in uniform, he brought them back. And they were able to talk about the importance of wearing that uniform. This was an authentic NFL team, so there’s a rich tradition there and now people will see this, they’ll be reminded of that rich history.”