Meet the Titans A game is never over until the final play The Tennessee Titans most thrilling victories have come when the last few seconds were ticking away That is why no team plays harder from the opening kickoff until the game is over and their fans know this better than anyone Some of their The Titans are known for their strong and speedy players Tennessee fans cheer just as loud for a crushing block or a teeth-rattling tackle as they do for a long run or diving catch After a game with the Titans opponents are guaranteed to have a few more bumps and bruises than usual This book tells the story of the Titans They have been playing spirited football for more than 50 years The team has always been built around a group of stars with major skills and big personalities The Titans then surround them with hardworking players who do their jobs well That formula has been Tennessee’s recipe for success The Titans congratulate Jason Jones after a good defensive play Tennessee loves players with great skills and big personalities 5
Glory Days W hen a professional football team picks a name it usually sticks with it forever In fact of all the teams that were playing in 1960 only three have changed their names including the Tennessee Titans From 1960 to 1998 they were called the Oilers From 1960 to 1996 they played in Houston Texas The Oilers were original members of the American Football League AFL Team owner Bud Adams helped the new league get its start Adams knew that the AFL had to grab headlines in order to attract fans Most people loved the National Football League NFL The AFL needed to make a splash Adams did his part when he signed Billy Cannon the nation’s greatest college football star Cannon chose the Oilers because Adams offered him twice as much money as any NFL team was willing to pay 6
Adams made another good move by signing George Blanda to be the team’s quarterback and kicker He had been a member of the Chicago Bears in the NFL for many years Blanda became a star in Houston and led the Oilers to the AFL Championship Game three times They won in 1960 and 1961 and lost a thrilling double overtime battle in 1962 They reached the AFL Championship Game again in 1967 The Oilers were an exciting club in their early years In 1961 they scored 513 points to set a pro football record Houston often beat opponents with its great passing game Blanda’s favorite receivers were Bill Groman Charlie Hennigan and Charlie Tolar Houston’s defense could also win games Tony Banfield Freddy Glick Don Floyd and Ed Husmann were among the top players in the early days of the AFL LEFT Billy Cannon was the first college star to join the AFL ABOVE George Blanda drops back to pass 7
