Who Owned The Houston Oilers

Alright, gather 'round, folks. Let's talk about the Houston Oilers, and who owned 'em. Now, imagine you're at a big ol' family reunion, and someone asks, "Who owned the Oilers back in the day?" You don't wanna be the one scratching your head, looking like you just saw a ghost at the buffet. So, let's dive in, shall we?

Knoxville's Own: K.S. "Bud" Adams Jr.

First up, we've got K.S. "Bud" Adams Jr., the man who brought the Oilers to Houston from, of all places, Oklahoma City. Now, imagine Bud as the loud, charismatic uncle who always brings the best stories to the family gathering. He's the one who, in 1960, said, "Y'all ready for some football? 'Cause I've got a team for ya!" And just like that, the Oilers were born.

Now, Bud was a bit of a character. He was the kind of guy who'd wear a ten-gallon hat to a fancy dinner, just 'cause he could. He was also the one who, in 1966, moved the team to Houston, saying, "Y'all are missing out on some good barbecue and football up here!" And just like that, Houston became the new home of the Oilers.

From Adams to McNair

Fast forward to 1997. Bud's still at the helm, but he's decided it's time to pass the torch. In comes Bob McNair, a Houston businessman with a heart as big as Texas. Now, imagine Bob as the quiet, thoughtful cousin who always has your back. He's the one who stepped up and said, "I'll take care of the Oilers, Uncle Bud. Don't you worry." And just like that, the Oilers had a new owner.

Bob was the kind of guy who'd listen to everyone's stories, then quietly go about making things better. He was the one who, in 2002, said, "You know what this team needs? A new stadium!" And so, Reliant Stadium (now NRG Stadium) was born. But that's a story for another time.

The forgotten franchises of the NFL: From relocation to extinction

And Then There Were Two

Now, here's where things get a little tricky. In 2008, the Oilers were on the move again. This time, they were heading to Nashville, Tennessee, to become the Titans. Now, imagine you're at the reunion, and someone's just announced they're moving to another state. You're thinking, "Well, that's a plot twist!" But that's exactly what happened. The Oilers were gone, and Houston was left without an NFL team.

But, as any good family knows, every goodbye is a hello in disguise. In 2002, the Texans were born, and Houston was back in the NFL game. And that, my friends, is how you own an NFL team. Or, at least, how you used to own one. Now, who's ready for some football?