The Nashville South Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League (CHL) for the 1981–82 season. They then played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) for the 1982–83 season and part of the 1983–84 season before the franchise relocated to become the Virginia Lancers .
105-614: It had been 10 years since Nashville 's last hockey team, the Nashville Dixie Flyers , played as part of the Eastern Hockey League . The South Stars were founded by Larry Schmittou , who was a principal owner of the Nashville Sounds minor-league baseball team. The team played at Nashville Municipal Auditorium , where the hockey seating configuration was such that spectators seated more than
210-573: A metropolitan government . The membership on the Metro Council, the legislative body, was increased from 21 to 40 seats. Of these, five members are elected at-large and 35 are elected from single-member districts , each to serve a term of four years. As Nashville evolved in the 1960s, its music scene diversified, welcoming rock , pop , and other genres and the 'Nashville Sound' transformed into ' Countrypolitan '. Artists like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash came to Nashville to record, reflecting
315-590: A 12–5 record and won the AFC South. The Titans' season ended with a Divisional Round 19–16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Titans traded away Brown after the season. In 2022, the Titans suffered their first losing season since 2015 with a 7–10 mark, losing each of their last seven games despite a 7–3 start. In the 2023 season, the Titans finished with a 6–11 record. Following the 2023 season, Vrabel
420-511: A broader sit-in movement in the southeastern United States as part of an effort to end racial segregation of public facilities. On April 19, 1960, the house of Z. Alexander Looby , an African American attorney and council member, was bombed by segregationists. Protesters marched to the city hall the next day. Mayor Ben West said he supported the desegregation of lunch counters, which civil rights activists had called for. In 1963, Nashville consolidated its government with Davidson County, forming
525-685: A charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The Houston Oilers won the first two AFL championships along with four division titles, and joined the NFL as part of the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. The Houston Oilers made playoff appearances from 1978 to 1980 and from 1987 to 1993 , with Hall of Famers Earl Campbell and Warren Moon , respectively. In 1997 , the Houston Oilers relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, playing at
630-584: A council member, Barry had officiated at the city's first same-sex wedding on June 26, 2015. In 2017, Nashville's economy was deemed the third fastest-growing in the nation, and the city was named the "hottest housing market in the US" by Freddie Mac realtors. In May 2017, census estimates showed Nashville had passed Memphis to become most populated city in Tennessee. Nashville has also made national headlines for its "homelessness crisis". Rising housing prices and
735-542: A destination for jazz and blues musicians, and remained so until the federal government split the area by construction of Interstate 40 in the late 1960s. In 1925, the establishment of the Grand Ole Opry marked the beginning of Nashville's journey as the 'Country Music Capital of the World', drawing musicians and fans alike to the city and setting the stage for its future as a country music powerhouse. In 1950,
840-537: A league-worst 2–14 season, and Jack Pardee was fired as head coach after a 1–9 start and was succeeded by Jeff Fisher . The following two seasons, the Oilers drafted quarterback Steve McNair and running back Eddie George respectively, who became franchise players over the next several years. The Oilers respectively went 7–9 and 8–8 in their final two seasons in Houston. After the 1995 season, Bud Adams announced
945-539: A lower-income, predominantly minority community. Rapid suburbanization occurred during the years immediately after World War II , as new housing was being built outside city limits. This resulted in a demand for many new schools and other support facilities, which the county found difficult to provide. At the same time, suburbanization led to a declining tax base in the city, although many suburban residents used unique city amenities and services that were supported financially only by city taxpayers. After years of discussion,
1050-522: A music recording and production center. With the United States Supreme Court ruling in 1954 that public schools had to desegregate with "all deliberate speed", the family of student Robert Kelley filed a lawsuit in 1956, arguing that Nashville administrators should open all-White East High School to him. A similar case was filed by Reverend Henry Maxwell due to his children having to take a 45-minute bus ride from South Nashville to
1155-722: A party of Overmountain Men to the site of French Lick, and constructed Fort Nashborough . It was named for Francis Nash , the American Revolutionary War hero. Nashville quickly grew because of its strategic location as a port on the Cumberland River , a tributary of the Ohio River ; and its later status as a major railroad center. By 1800, the city had 345 residents, including 136 enslaved African Americans and 14 free African Americans. In 1806, Nashville
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#17327880610301260-477: A referendum was held in 1958 on the issue of consolidating city and county government. It failed to gain approval although it was supported by the then-elected leaders of both jurisdictions, County Judge Beverly Briley and Mayor Ben West . Following the referendum's failure, Nashville annexed some 42 square miles of suburban jurisdictions to expand its tax base. This increased uncertainty among residents, and created resentment among many suburban communities. Under
1365-551: A remarkable beginning for the Titans, as they made a dramatic run to Super Bowl XXXIV. Led by head coach Jeff Fisher and quarterback Steve McNair, the team finished the regular season with a 13–3 record. Their playoff journey included the famous "Music City Miracle" victory over the Buffalo Bills, where a last-second lateral play resulted in a kickoff return touchdown. The Titans reached the Super Bowl but narrowly lost to
1470-805: A row back in the seats that were above and behind the goal lines could not see the nets. The team was the top affiliate of the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League and was coached by Gene Ubriaco, who would later coach the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. The South Stars reached the CHL playoffs, but lost in the first round to the Wichita Wind . The Nashville South Stars played only for one season in
1575-656: A significant center for African American music and culture, laying the groundwork for the city's enduring musical legacy. In 1873, Nashville suffered another cholera epidemic, along with towns throughout Sumner County along railroad routes and the Cumberland River. This was part of a larger epidemic that struck the Mississippi Valley system and other areas of the United States, such as New York and towns along its major lakes and rivers. The epidemic
1680-496: A small, navy blue disc on the back of their helmets with McNair's white number nine inside of it. In 2013 , the team wore the navy blue jerseys twice in honor of their 15th anniversary as the Titans. The Titans wore white jerseys for all games in 2014 , for the exceptions of two preseason home games, in which the team wore their light Titans blue jerseys, and a game against the Houston Texans on October 26, 2014, in which
1785-414: A starter beginning in 2012 was marked by inconsistent play and numerous injuries, which led to his retirement shortly after departing from the team after the 2014 season after a four-year career. After posting a league-worst 2–14 record during the 2014 season, their worst since moving to Tennessee, the Titans drafted quarterback Marcus Mariota in the 2015 NFL Draft with the second overall pick, who became
1890-504: A trading post on the Cumberland River, near the present-day site of the city. In 1714, a group of French traders under the command of Charles Charleville established a settlement and trading post at the present location of downtown Nashville, which became known as French Lick. These settlers quickly established an extensive fur trading network with the local Native Americans, but by the 1740s the settlement had largely been abandoned. In 1779, explorers James Robertson and John Donelson led
1995-634: A vehicle exploded on Second Avenue , killing the perpetrator and injuring eight others. On March 27, 2023, a gunman killed three children and three staff at the Covenant School, before getting killed by police. On December 9, 2023 , tornadoes caused considerable destruction and left three people dead. Nashville lies on the Cumberland River in the northwestern portion of the Nashville Basin . Nashville's elevation ranges from its lowest point, 385 feet (117 m) above sea level at
2100-410: A winning record between 1981 and 1987, a drought that ended when the Houston Oilers acquired quarterback Warren Moon in 1987. With Moon and Hall of Fame offensive linemen Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews , the Houston Oilers made six consecutive playoff appearances from 1987 to 1993. During the 1992–93 NFL playoffs , the Houston Oilers earned the dubious distinction of being on the losing end of what
2205-652: A winning season in the next six seasons, but in 1967 , a 9–4–1 record returned the team to the AFL championship game where it lost 40–7 to the Oakland Raiders . The Houston Oilers moved into the Astrodome after the season, becoming the first professional football team to move into a domed stadium. After failing to qualify for the AFL playoffs in 1968, the Oilers qualified the following season in 1969, but were eliminated in
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#17327880610302310-523: Is estimated to have killed around 1,000 people in Nashville, and 50,000 total. Meanwhile, the city had reclaimed its important shipping and trading position and developed a solid manufacturing base. The post–Civil War years of the late 19th century brought new prosperity to Nashville and Davidson County. Wealthy planters and businessmen built grand, classical-style buildings. A replica of the Parthenon
2415-533: Is followed by the playing of " Folsom Prison Blues " by Johnny Cash . After every Titans first down at Nissan Stadium, the jumbotron plays a scene from the movie 300 , where the Spartans chant after King Leonidas asks, "What is your profession?" Titans fans simultaneously perform the chant three times, "OOH! OOH! OOH!" The chant debuted in video game form in Madden NFL 22 . In 1999, Adams established
2520-501: Is governed by a mayor, a vice-mayor, and a 40-member metropolitan council. Some 35 of the members are elected from single-member districts , while five are elected at-large . Reflecting the city's position in state government, Nashville is home to the Tennessee Supreme Court 's courthouse for Middle Tennessee , one of the state's three divisions . As of 2020, Nashville is considered a global city , type "Gamma" by
2625-802: Is in Saint Thomas Sports Park, a 31-acre site at the MetroCenter complex in Nashville. The Tennessee Titans played in Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, losing 23–16 to the St. Louis Rams . Led by Steve McNair and Eddie George , the Tennessee Titans made the playoffs in all but one season from 1999 to 2003 , but only twice in the next 13 years. From 2016 to 2021 , the Tennessee Titans had six consecutive winning seasons and four playoff appearances. The Tennessee Titans are
2730-488: Is one of the fastest growing in the nation. Named for Francis Nash , a general of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War , the city was founded in 1779 when this territory was still considered part of North Carolina. The city grew quickly due to its strategic location as a port on the Cumberland River and, in the 19th century, a railroad center. Nashville as part of Tennessee seceded during
2835-683: Is sometimes referred to as the " Athens of the South" due to the large number of educational institutions. The city is also a major center for the healthcare, publishing, banking, automotive, and technology industries. Entities with headquarters in the city include AllianceBernstein , Asurion , Bridgestone Americas , Captain D's , Concord , Gideons International , Hospital Corporation of America , LifeWay Christian Resources , Logan's Roadhouse , and Ryman Hospitality Properties . In 1689, French-Canadian trader Martin Chartier established
2940-656: Is the raccoon mascot of the Titans, debuting in the team's inaugural preseason home game in August 1999 against the Atlanta Falcons . The raccoon is the state animal of Tennessee. T-Rac appears at every game in Nissan Stadium and performs at community events in Tennessee. During every home game's 4th quarter, the stadium plays a video of "office linebacker" Terry Tate , performed by Lester Speight , shouting his catchphrase, "the pain train's coming"! The phrase
3045-557: Is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County . Located in Middle Tennessee, it had a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census . Nashville is the 21st most populous city in the United States , and the fourth most populous city in the southeastern U.S. Located on the Cumberland River , the city is the center of the Nashville metropolitan area , and
3150-543: The American Civil War ; in 1862 it was the first state capital in the Confederacy to be taken by Union forces . It was occupied through the war. After the war, the city gradually reclaimed its stature. It became a center of trade and developed a manufacturing base. Since 1963, Nashville has had a consolidated city-county government, which includes six smaller municipalities in a two-tier system. The city
3255-609: The Bridgestone Arena , and Nissan Stadium . Nissan Stadium (formerly Adelphia Coliseum and LP Field) was built after the National Football League 's (NFL) Houston Oilers agreed to move to the city in 1995. The NFL team debuted in Nashville in 1998 at Vanderbilt Stadium , and Nissan Stadium opened in the summer of 1999. The Oilers changed their name to the Tennessee Titans and finished
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3360-536: The GaWC . The city is a major center for the music industry , especially country music . It is home to three major professional sports teams : the Predators , Titans , and Nashville SC . The city is also the home of many colleges and universities including Tennessee State University , Vanderbilt University , Belmont University , Fisk University , Trevecca Nazarene University , and Lipscomb University . Nashville
3465-599: The Ku Klux Klan was founded by Confederate veteran John W. Morton . He was reported to have initiated General Nathan Bedford Forrest into the white-sepremacist organization. The latter became Grand Wizard of the organization, which had chapters of this secret, insurgent group forming throughout the state and across the South. They opposed voting and political organizing by freedmen , tried to control their behavior by threats, violence and murder, and sometimes also attacked their White allies, including schoolteachers from
3570-637: The Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee , for one season while waiting for a new stadium to be constructed. The team moved to Nashville's Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998 . For those two seasons, the team was known as the Tennessee Oilers , but changed its name to the Tennessee Titans for the 1999 season , when they moved into Adelphia Coliseum, now known as Nissan Stadium. The Tennessee Titans' training facility
3675-675: The Miami Dolphins and a Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys . It wore all white exclusively in its last year as the Tennessee Oilers. When the team was renamed the Titans in 1999, it introduced a new logo that was a circle with three stars representing the state's Grand Divisions , containing a large "T" with a trail of flames similar to a comet. The uniforms consisted of white helmets, red trim, and either navy or white jerseys. White pants were worn with
3780-648: The National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The Tennessee Titans play their home games at Nissan Stadium and are building a new stadium which will be completed in 2027. Originally known as the Houston Oilers , the team was founded in 1959 by Houston oil tycoon Bud Adams , who remained the owner until his death in 2013. The team began play in 1960 in Houston , Texas, as
3885-416: The Pittsburgh Penguins , 4 games to 2, in the best-of-seven series. On January 22, 2009, residents rejected Nashville Charter Amendment 1 , which sought to make English the official language of the city. Between May 1 and 7, 2010, much of Nashville was extensively flooded as part of a series of 1,000 year floods throughout Middle and West Tennessee. Much of the flooding took place in areas along
3990-550: The Pittsburgh Steelers , Baltimore Ravens , and Buffalo Bills . The rivalry with the Jaguars began in 1995 when the Titans were the Houston Oilers. The rivalry was heated in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to the success of both franchises at the time, including a season in which Jacksonville went 14–2 and Tennessee went 13–3. That season, all three of Jacksonville's losses, including the playoffs, came against
4095-506: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 527.9 square miles (1,367 km ), of which 504.0 square miles (1,305 km ) of it is land and 23.9 square miles (62 km ) of it (4.53%) is water. Tennessee Titans National Football League ( 1970 –present) The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee . The Titans compete in
4200-474: The 1970s, the city and county have undergone tremendous growth, particularly during the economic boom of the 1990s under the leadership of then-Mayor and later- Tennessee Governor , Phil Bredesen . Making urban renewal a priority, Bredesen fostered the construction or renovation of several city landmarks, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , the downtown Nashville Public Library ,
4305-399: The 2017 season, the Titans moved on from head coach Mike Mularkey. The Tennessee Titans entered a new era in the late 2010s with the hiring of head coach Mike Vrabel in 2018. Prominent players drafted during the 2019 season included defensive end Jeffery Simmons and wide receiver A.J. Brown , both of whom would later have prolific careers with the team. Under Vrabel's leadership, during
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4410-609: The 2017 season, the Titans returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 and won their first playoff game since 2003, overcoming a 21–3 halftime deficit against the Kansas City Chiefs to win 22–21 before being eliminated in the divisional round. The Titans saw their season end in the Divisional Round with a 35–14 loss to the New England Patriots. Despite their postseason success in
4515-488: The 2019 season, Mariota was benched in favor of offseason acquisition Ryan Tannehill after a 2–4 start and with the emergence running back Derrick Henry , who led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, the team returned to prominence. The Titans reached the AFC Championship Game during the 2019 season and have been regular playoff contenders since then. Mariota, Walker and Casey all departed after
4620-541: The 2019 season. Derrick Henry's historic rushing performances, including a 2,000-yard season in 2020, have solidified the Tennessee Titans as a formidable force in the NFL. Henry was part of a 2020 campaign that saw the Titans win the AFC South with an 11–5 record. The Titans' season ended with a 20–13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round. In the 2021 season, the Titans finished with
4725-535: The 2023 season, the Steelers lead the all-time series 49–32. The Cowboys previously lead the series against the Oilers 18–13. During the Titans' first season in its new stadium, the end zone sections became known as the Flame Pit and fans began wearing head wear resembling flames. Called "Flameheads", the costumes became prevalent during the Titans' successful years of the early 2000s. Flames are tied to
4830-548: The Athens of the South." His brother, Henry Grizzard, had been lynched and hanged on April 24, 1892, in nearby Goodlettsville as a suspect in the same assault incident. From 1877 to 1950, a total of six lynchings of Blacks were conducted in Davidson County, four before the turn of the century. By the turn of the century Nashville was home to numerous organizations and individuals associated with revisionist Lost Cause of
4935-507: The Bills sideline. Adams and Bills owner Ralph Wilson had maintained a friendly rivalry and were the last living original AFL owners at that time. As of the 2023 season, the Titans lead the all-time series 30–20. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Titans and the Ravens began a rivalry, which flared up when former Titans quarterback Steve McNair went to the Ravens. From the realignment of
5040-615: The Bills. In 1993, the Comeback , and the January 8, 2000 Music City Miracle , were two iconic moments in Oilers/Titans history have occurred against the Bills. The Bills and Titans were featured in an AFL legacy game in 2009 as part of festivities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the AFL's foundation. Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $ 250,000 by the league following the 41–17 Titans win in which he obscenely gestured toward
5145-573: The CHL before joining the Atlantic Coast Hockey League for the 1982–83 season. The franchise would relocate to Vinton, Virginia during the next season in December 1983. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes Nashville, Tennessee This is an accepted version of this page Nashville , often known as Music City ,
5250-565: The Confederacy pseudohistory, and it has been referred to as the "cradle of the Lost Cause." In 1893, the magazine Confederate Veteran began publication in the city. In 1894, the first chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy was founded in the city, and it hosted the first two conventions of the organization. Prominent proponents of the mythology, the so-called "guardians of the Lost Cause," were concentrated Downtown and in
5355-627: The Cumberland River, to its highest point, 1,163 feet (354 m) above sea level in the Radnor Lake State Natural Area . Nashville also sits at the start of the Highland Rim , a geophysical region of very hilly land. Because of this, Nashville is very hilly. Nashville also has some stand alone hills around the city such as the hill on which the Tennessee State Capitol building sits. According to
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#17327880610305460-400: The Cumberland and Harpeth Rivers and Mill Creek , and caused extensive damage to the many buildings and structures in the city, including the Grand Ole Opry House , Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center , Opry Mills Mall , Schermerhorn Symphony Center , Bridgestone Arena , and Nissan Stadium . Sections of Interstate 24 and Briley Parkway were also flooded. Eleven people died in
5565-445: The NFL's divisions in 2002 to the 2020–21 NFL playoffs , the Titans have faced off against Baltimore five times in the postseason. As of the 2023 season, the Ravens lead the all-time series 14–13. After the move to the AFC Central division, the Titans developed a rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were the Oilers' primary divisional rival and by the 2020s, the Titans had played them more than any other NFL team. As of
5670-520: The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (now WeGo Public Transit ) by a 2 to 1 margin. On September 28, 2019, John Cooper became the ninth mayor of Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. On March 3, 2020, a tornado tracked west to east, just north of the downtown Nashville area, killing at least 25 people and leaving tens of thousands without electricity. Neighborhoods impacted included North Nashville, Germantown, East Nashville, Donelson, and Hermitage. On December 25, 2020,
5775-437: The Nashville area as a result of the flooding, and damages were estimated to be over $ 2 billion. The city recovered after the Great Recession . In March 2012, a Gallup poll ranked Nashville in the top five regions for job growth. In 2013, Nashville was described as "Nowville" and "It City" by GQ , Forbes , and The New York Times . Nashville elected its first female mayor, Megan Barry , on September 25, 2015. As
5880-405: The North and Freedman's Bureau officials. Whites directed violence against freedmen and their descendants both during and after the Reconstruction era . Two freedmen, David Jones and Jo Reed , were lynched in Nashville by White mobs in 1872 and 1875, respectively. Reed was hanged from a bridge over the river, but survived after the rope broke and he fell into the water. He successfully escaped
5985-419: The Oilers wore blue helmets; the helmets were silver from 1966 to 1971 and white from 1975 to 1998. From 1997 to 1998, when it was known as the Tennessee Oilers, the team had an alternate logo that combined elements of the flag of Tennessee with the derrick. The team also wore its white uniforms during home games. In its two years as the Tennessee Oilers, the team wore its colored jerseys for road games against
6090-438: The St. Louis Rams, falling one yard short of a potential game-tying touchdown. In the years following their Super Bowl appearance, the Tennessee Titans experienced mixed success. They reached the playoffs several times in the early 2000s, with standout performances from players like running back Eddie George and defensive end Jevon Kearse. However, the team struggled with consistency and faced multiple rebuilding phases. Following
6195-422: The Titans and the Buffalo Bills began the 2009 NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame Game. Played at Canton's Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium on August 9, 2009, the game was nationally televised on NBC . The Titans defeated the Bills, 21–18. In honor of the AFL's 50th anniversary, the Titans wore Oilers' uniforms for the game. In 2009, the team honored former quarterback Steve McNair by placing
6300-431: The Titans claimed the AFC South championship over the Colts due to tie-breaking measures. As of the 2023 season, the Colts lead the all-time series 37–22. While in the AFL, the Houston Oilers was in the same division as the Buffalo Bills, but were moved to the AFC Central division following the NFL-AFL merger. Their rivalry remained strong into the 1980s and 1990s with Warren Moon leading the Oilers against Jim Kelly and
6405-444: The Titans to a league best 13–3 record and a playoff appearance before being defeated in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens. In 2009, following a 0–6 start under Collins, Young returned as starting quarterback and led the Titans to winning eight of their final ten games and narrowly missing the playoffs. The 2009 season was also notable as it was the season in which second-year running back Chris Johnson became
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#17327880610306510-403: The Titans wore seven different uniform combinations, pairing the white jersey with all three sets of pants (white, Titans blue, navy blue), the navy jersey with the white and navy pants, and the Titans blue jersey with navy and Titans blue pants. In a game against the Atlanta Falcons on October 7, 2007, the Titans paired the navy blue jersey with the Titans blue pants for the first time. They wore
6615-427: The Titans wore their navy blue uniforms. Beginning in 2015 , navy blue became the team's primary home jersey color again, marking the first time since 2007 that the Titans wore navy as their primary home jersey. The light Titans blue jersey, which was the team's primary jersey color from 2008 to 2014, became the team's alternate jersey for a second time. On April 4, 2018, the Titans debuted new uniforms that retain
6720-404: The Titans' franchise quarterback for the next four seasons. Although the Titans finished with another league worst record of 3–13 during the 2015 season, Mariota along with multi-Pro Bowl teammates such as tight end Delanie Walker , offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and defensive tackle/defensive end Jurrell Casey , led the Titans to three consecutive winning records of 9–7 from 2016 to 2018. During
6825-428: The Titans, who played that year in Super Bowl XXXIV. The rivalry cooled when both teams experienced misfortune in the late 2000s to early 2010s, but both teams ended lengthy playoff droughts in 2017 . As of the 2023 season, the Titans lead the all-time series 35–24. The Titans’ rivalry with the Houston Texans is more prevalent in Houston due to the Titans having previously played in the city. The Titans dominated
6930-466: The West End, near Centennial Park . At the same time, Jefferson Street became the historic center of the African American community, with similar districts developing in the Black neighborhoods in East and North Nashville. In 1912, the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial and Normal School was moved to Jefferson Street. The first Prince's Hot Chicken Shack originated at the corner of Jefferson Street and 28th Avenue in 1945. Jefferson Street became
7035-404: The city soon thereafter. In the aftermath of the Civil War, the Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in Nashville emerged as a beacon of hope and cultural pride. By 1871, this ensemble began touring the U.S. and Europe, earning international acclaim for their performances of Negro spirituals . Their success not only provided vital funding for their university but also marked Nashville as
7140-407: The city's expanding influence in the music industry. In 1960, Time reported that Nashville had "nosed out Hollywood as the nation's second biggest (after New York ) record-producing center." In 1957 Nashville desegregated its school system using an innovative grade a year plan, in response to a class action suit Kelly vs. Board of Education of Nashville . By 1966 the Metro Council abandoned
7245-447: The city. By 1860, when the first rumblings of secession began to be heard across the South , antebellum Nashville was a prosperous city. The city's significance as a shipping port and rail center made it a desirable prize for competing military forces that wanted to control the region's important river and railroad transportation routes. In February 1862, Nashville became the first Confederate state capital to fall to U.S. troops, and
7350-516: The color palette of navy blue, Titans blue and white, with new red and silver elements being introduced. The new helmets are navy blue with one silver sword-shaped stripe through the center and metallic gray face masks. On July 23, 2023, the Titans unveiled the throwback powder blue Oilers uniforms. The Titans share rivalries with their three AFC South opponents, Jacksonville Jaguars , Houston Texans , and Indianapolis Colts . They have historical rivalries with former divisional opponents such as
7455-422: The departures of George and McNair in 2003 and 2005, respectively, the Titans drafted quarterback Vince Young in 2006, who led the team to a playoff berth in 2007. Despite being named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and being a two-time Pro Bowl selection, Young's tenure was marred by injuries, inconsistency and clashes with Jeff Fisher. In 2008, Young was benched in favor of veteran Kerry Collins , who led
7560-538: The differing jurisdictions within the large metro region. In the early 1960s, Tennessee still had racial segregation of public facilities, including lunch counters and department store fitting rooms. Hotels and restaurants were also segregated. Between February 13 and May 10, 1960, a series of sit-ins were organized at lunch counters in downtown Nashville by the Nashville Student Movement and Nashville Christian Leadership Council, and were part of
7665-487: The divisional round by the Oakland Raiders in a 56–7 blowout. Following the season, the AFL merged with the NFL in 1970, with the Houston Oilers being assigned to the new American Football Conference (AFC)'s Central division . The Houston Oilers failed to qualify for the NFL playoffs from 1970 to 1977, and posted one winning season in 1975 . In 1978, the Houston Oilers selected running back Earl Campbell with
7770-603: The first overall pick in the 1978 NFL draft . Campbell led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances as a wildcard berth from 1978 to 1980. Campbell led the NFL in rushing yards and won the Offensive Player of the Year Award in each of those three seasons. The Oilers made it to the AFC championships in 1978 and 1979, but were defeated both times by the Pittsburgh Steelers . The Houston Oilers failed to post
7875-438: The grade a year plan and completely desegregated the entire school system at one time. Congress passed civil rights legislation in 1964 and 1965, but tensions continued as society was slow to change. On April 8, 1967, a riot broke out on the college campuses of Fisk University and Tennessee State University, historically Black colleges , after Stokely Carmichael spoke about Black Power at Vanderbilt University . Although it
7980-509: The heat, except in the 2005 , 2006 and 2008 seasons . In 2003, the Titans introduced an alternate jersey that was light Titans blue with navy outside shoulders and sleeves, which was worn with blue pants. Until 2007, they wore the jersey twice in each regular-season game. They always wore the Titans blue jersey in their annual divisional game against the Houston Texans and for other selected home games. Their selection in those games
8085-408: The move to Tennessee. A Nashville stadium for the Tennessee Oilers would not be ready until 1999 , so the Tennessee Oilers planned to play two seasons at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee . The team was based in Nashville and commuted to Memphis, Tennessee for games. In Memphis, Tennessee some of the smallest NFL crowds since the 1950s attended games. In the first seven games of
8190-539: The navy blue jerseys with the light blue pants against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The team paired the Titans blue jerseys with the white pants for the first time in a home game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 14, 2013. In 2008, the Titans blue jerseys became the regular home uniforms, with the navy blue jerseys being relegated to alternate status but not worn until 2013. In 2009,
8295-578: The navy jerseys, and navy pants with the white jerseys. On both the navy and white jerseys, the outside shoulders and sleeves were light Titans blue. In a game against the Washington Redskins on October 15, 2006, the Titans wore their navy jerseys with navy pants for the first time. Since 2000, the Titans have worn their dark uniforms at home. They have worn white at home during daytime contests in September home games to gain an advantage with
8400-470: The new charter, African American attorneys Z. Alexander Looby and Robert E. Lillard were elected to the city council. During the mid-1950s, Nashville underwent a musical transformation with the emergence of the ' Nashville Sound ,' which was characterized by "smooth strings and choruses", "sophisticated background vocals" and "smooth tempos" associated with traditional pop . The new sound broadened country music's appeal and solidified Nashville's status as
8505-425: The north end of the city. These suits caused the courts to announce what became known as the "Nashville Plan", where the city's public schools would desegregate one grade per year beginning in the fall of 1957. Urban redevelopment accelerated over the next several decades, and the city grew increasingly segregated. An interstate was placed on the edge of East Nashville while another highway was built through Edgehill,
8610-485: The only NFL team to have two players rush for 2,000 yards in a season, Chris Johnson ( 2009 ) and Derrick Henry ( 2020 ). After failed attempts to start an NFL expansion team in Houston, Adams founded the Houston Oilers in 1959, as one of the eight charter members of the upstart American Football League (AFL) and a member of its Eastern Division. Beginning play at Jeppesen Stadium at the University of Houston ,
8715-509: The opioid crisis have resulted in more people being out on the streets: as of 2018 , between 2,300 and 20,000 Nashvillians are homeless. On March 6, 2018, due to felony charges filed against Mayor Barry relating to the misuse of public funds, she resigned before the end of her term. A special election was called. Following a ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court , the Davidson County Election Commission set
8820-639: The organization because in Greek Mythology , the Titan Prometheus stole fire and gave it to humanity. The Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders represent the team in the NFL. They perform at every home game in Nissan Stadium and regularly do acts with the team's mascot T-Rac . They have 28 members with four captains. They perform a variety of dance moves and high-risk stunts. They attend community events in Middle Tennessee . T-Rac
8925-531: The rivalry in the early 2000s, but the series has since evened out in the 2010s. As of the 2023 season, the Titans lead the all-time series 23–21. Since the creation of the AFC South, the Titans and the Colts have been division rivals. In 2011, the Titans swept the Colts after 11 straight losses. In 2018, the Colts defeated the Titans in the last game of the regular season to clinch the final Wild Card spot, eliminating Tennessee from playoff contention. In 2020,
9030-401: The road with the white jerseys from 1972 to 1994, with the exception of the 1980 season , and selected games in the mid-1980s, when the team wore an all-white road combination. For selected games in 1973 and 1974, and again from 1981 through 1984, the Oilers wore their white jerseys at home. Coach Jeff Fisher discarded the light blue pants in 1995. From 1960 to about 1965 and from 1972 to 1974,
9135-471: The road. During the 1998 offseason, Adams appointed an advisory committee to decide on a new name for the Tennessee Oilers to coincide with the opening of their new stadium, which was renamed Nissan Stadium in 2015. On November 14, 1998, the new name of Tennessee Titans was unveiled. The name is a nod to how Nashville is nicknamed the "Athens of the South" for its classical architecture and large number of higher learning institutions. The 1999 season marked
9240-708: The season with the Music City Miracle and a close Super Bowl game. The St. Louis Rams won in the last play of the game. In 1997, Nashville was awarded a National Hockey League expansion team; this was named the Nashville Predators . Since the 2003–04 season, the Predators have made the playoffs in all but four seasons. In 2017, they made the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, but ultimately fell to
9345-410: The season, there were crowds of less than 27,000, and two games drew less than 18,000 people. For the 1998 season, the Tennessee Oilers played their home games at the stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. That year, the team was in playoff contention until losing their last two games for another 8–8 record. The Tennessee Oilers were 6–2 in Nashville, Tennessee and 2–6 on
9450-642: The second charter for metropolitan government, which was approved in 1962, two levels of service provision were proposed: the General Services District and the Urban Services District, to provide for a differential in tax levels. Residents of the Urban Services District had a full range of city services. The areas that made up the General Services District, however, had a lower tax rate until full services were provided. This helped reconcile aspects of services and taxation among
9555-425: The sixth player to run for more than 2,000 yards in a season and broke Marshall Faulk 's record for most single season yards from scrimmage. Johnson made three Pro Bowl appearances with the Titans before departing after the 2013 season. Following the 2010 season, Young, Collins and Fisher all departed, and quarterback Jake Locker was drafted in 2011. After spending his rookie season as a backup, Locker's career as
9660-470: The south for iron production. The cholera epidemic that struck Nashville in 1849–1850 took the life of former U.S. President James K. Polk and resulted in high fatalities. There were 311 deaths from cholera in 1849 and an estimated 316 to about 500 in 1850. Before the Civil War, about 700 free Blacks lived in small enclaves in northern Nashville. More than 3,200 enslaved African Americans lived in
9765-519: The special election for May 24, 2018, to meet the requirement of 75 to 80 days from the date of resignation. David Briley , who was Vice Mayor during the Barry administration and Acting Mayor after her resignation, won the special election with just over 54% of the vote, becoming the 70th mayor of Nashville. On May 1, 2018, voters rejected Let's Move Nashville , a referendum which would have funded construction of an $ 8.9 billion mass transit system under
9870-579: The state legislature approved a new city charter that provided for the election of city council members from single-member districts , rather than at-large voting. This change was supported because at-large voting required candidates to gain a majority of votes from across the city. The previous system prevented the minority population, which then tended to support Republican candidates, from being represented by candidates of their choice; apportionment under single-member districts meant that some districts in Nashville had Black majorities. In 1951, after passage of
9975-430: The state was occupied by the U.S. Army for the duration of the war. Many enslaved African Americans from Middle Tennessee fled as refugees to Union lines; they were housed in contraband camps around military installations in Nashville's eastern, western, and southern borders. The Battle of Nashville (December 15–16, 1864) was a significant Union victory and perhaps the most decisive tactical victory gained by either side in
10080-430: The streets." Auction blocks and brokers' offices were part of the slave market at the heart of the city. It was the center of plantations cultivating tobacco and hemp as commodity crops, in addition to the breeding and training of thoroughbred horses, and other livestock. For years Nashville was considered one of the wealthiest southern capitals and a large portion of its prominence was from the iron business. Nashville led
10185-619: The team moved to Rice Stadium at Rice University in 1965. Led by quarterback George Blanda , who played with the team from 1960 to 1966, the Houston Oilers made it to each of the first three AFL championship games. The Oilers won the first two AFL championships, both against the San Diego Chargers , but lost the 1962 American Football League Championship Game 20–17 to the Dallas Texans , now Kansas City Chiefs , after double overtime. The Houston Oilers failed to post
10290-528: The war; it was also the war's final major military action in which Tennessee regiments played a large part on both sides of the battle. Afterward, the Confederates conducted a war of attrition , making guerrilla raids and engaging in small skirmishes. Confederate forces in the Deep South were almost constantly in retreat. In 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, the Nashville chapter of
10395-423: The years, this logo remained the same until the team was renamed the Titans in 1999. The logo was originally called "Ol' Riggy", but this name was dropped before the 1974 season . The Oilers' uniforms consisted of blue or white jerseys, red trim, and white pants. From 1966 to 1971, the pants with both the blue and white jerseys were silver to match the color of the helmets. The team commonly wore light blue pants on
10500-484: Was incorporated as a city and became the county seat of Davidson County, Tennessee . In 1843, the city was named as the permanent capital of the state of Tennessee . Knoxville, Kingston & Murfreesboro were prior locations of the state capital. The city government of Nashville owned 24 slaves by 1831, and 60 prior to the Civil War . They were "put to work to build the first successful water system and maintain
10605-486: Was constructed in Centennial Park , near downtown. On April 30, 1892, Ephraim Grizzard , an African-American man, was lynched in a spectacle murder in front of a European-American mob of 10,000 in Nashville. He was a suspect in the assault of two white sisters. His lynching was described by journalist Ida B. Wells as: "A naked, bloody example of the blood-thirstiness of the nineteenth century civilization of
10710-473: Was fired as head coach. Former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was hired to be the team's head coach prior to the 2024 season. Prominent departures that occurred during or after the 2023 season included Henry, Tannehill and two-time First-Team All-Pro safety Kevin Byard . When the team debuted as the Houston Oilers in 1960, its logo was an oil rig derrick . Except for minor color changes throughout
10815-477: Was representative of the organization's ties to Houston and the AFL. On November 19, 2006, the Titans introduced light Titans blue pants in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles . In December 2006, they combined the Titans blue pants with the Titans blue jersey to create an all Titans blue uniform. Vince Young appeared in this uniform in the cover art for Madden NFL 08 . During the 2006 season,
10920-538: Was then the biggest comeback in NFL history when in the divisional round, the Houston Oilers' third-quarter 32-point lead against the Buffalo Bills turned into a 41–38 loss in overtime. This remains the largest blown lead in playoff history. After the 1993 season, Moon was traded to the Minnesota Vikings and Munchak retired to begin a coaching career. The following season, the Oilers finished with
11025-539: Was viewed as a "race riot", it had classist characteristics. In 1979, the Ku Klux Klan burnt crosses outside two African American sites in Nashville, including the city headquarters of the NAACP . Historically, Nashville zoning permitted the construction of duplex housing. In the 1980s and 1990s, Nashville lawmakers downzoned sections of Nashville to exclusively permit single-family housing . Proponents of these downzonings said they would raise home values. Since
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