Oilers Owner Bud Adams selected Titans from an original
list of 39 options as the new name for the Oilers, according
to Paul Kuharsky of the TENNESSEAN. Adams: "A Titan these
days is someone who excels and stands out in his work. He
or she is recognized for greatness or special achievement."
Adams and NFL Senior VP/Communications Joe Browne said that
Jets Owner Leon Hess OK'd the use of the former name of his
team. Pioneers and Tornadoes were also finalists
(TENNESSEAN, 11/15). In Houston, John McClain wrote that
sources said Adams "preferred" Pioneers, but "switched" when
news leaked in TN on the name (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/14).
COLORS? Adams said that "there's a likelihood" he would
"settle on a logo before" Christmas, and that the team
"might keep the current" team colors. Adams: "We might jazz
them up a bit." Oilers merchandise sales currently rank
26th out of 30 NFL teams. Browne said that "there will
probably be enough time to get Titans T-shirts and ball caps
on store shelves before Christmas" (TENNESSEAN, 11/15).
REAX: Fox's Terry Bradshaw: "For God's sake, someone
please tell me what's the Titans got to do with the state of
Tennessee and Nashville? It makes no sense to me
whatsoever. Let's have a re-count, a re-vote" ("Fox NFL
Sunday," 11/15). In N.Y., Phil Mushnick wonders how NFLP
could allow the Oilers "to change its name to Titans when so
many more marketable, cooler names -- Abductors, Stalkers,
Slashers --are available?" (N.Y. POST, 11/16). In
Nashville, Jeff Legwold wrote that Titans "works just fine"
(TENNESSEAN, 11/15). Also in Nashville, Bonna de la Cruz
wrote that the name "had many Nashvillians scratching their
heads." Prime Time Country host Gary Chapman: "So it has
nothing to do with lug nuts?" (TENNESSEAN, 11/15).
