Super Bowl weekend is upon us and it sure seems like no one outside of Kansas City or Philadelphia fandom is excited for the big game. Unless maybe there’s money on the line. Or maybe the halftime show. Or Tom Brady announcing the game… But the real question is: What has happened to good old-fashioned American football? This week we’re going to go back to a time when football was about the thrill of the game. And a hat-tip to the Houston Oilers.
The Houston Oilers were established in 1960 as a member of the American Football League. They became a part of the NFL when the two leagues merged in the late 60s.
They really weren’t the best playing team in the league. But it goes without saying. When you are dedicated to your team, it’s ride or die. And partly due to the team’s record, after almost 30 years, it was announced in 1995 that the team would be moved to Nashville for the 1998 football season.
When I was a kid, before my family left Texas for Nevada, I remember my parents just loving their Texas football teams. My mom, the Dallas Cowboys, and my dad, the Houston Oilers. A house divided!
As I became older, and understood more and more about football, I joined the Dallas Cowboys bandwagon with my mom. I don’t have too many memories of the Oilers other than the cool swag my parents had around the house, and of course, Warren Moon. So, I recently chatted with my parents about their memories of the retired Texas team.
They remember going to games when tickets were only $15! $11 if you wanted standing room only. Holy Moses! This of course, was in the 70s.
What about the distinguished Houston Oilers players of that time? They had RB Earl Campbell, QB Dan Pastorini, and QB Kenny Stabler (during his “hot mess” era). My parents remember seeing all of these guys play at the Astrodome. And even a fun memory of watching the Oilers play the Steelers and Terry Bradshaw (who unfortunately got hurt so didn’t play the entire game).
Flash forward to the 1990s and we have the player I do remember, and that’s QB Warren Moon. Moon was with the Oilers from 1983-1994 (my lifetime). Even at that age I knew he just played good ball. And he still holds most of the Oilers/Titans records today. And I remember being sad when he traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1994.
It would be just one year later when the team announced they were leaving Houston.
It’s amazing after all these years, the fandom of the Houston Oilers is still alive. Although the city has moved on, fans there and across the country still remember the good ole days. Back when American football was all about the sport. No politics, just football.
