Ahead of his team’s game against the Texans on Sunday, Titans coach Mike Vrabel had some fun with his pregame outfit. Normally, fans wouldn’t give it a second thought but given the circumstances around the game, his decision could be a clearcut message to the city of Houston.
Vrabel showed up for the AFC South bout in a cowboy hat and could be seen smiling when interacting with media members Sunday morning. The game isn’t in Houston, though, but in Nashville and the Titans are planning to wear the popular throwback Oilers uniforms. The Oilers were originally based in Houston before relocating to Tennessee and eventually undergoing a name change.
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel with the Bum Philips cowboy hat for Oilers throwback week. pic.twitter.com/Q0YFkf1Pfa
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 17, 2023
As a result, the city of Houston was left without a team until the Texans joined the NFL and to this day it has left a bad taste in the city’s mouth. To add insult to injury, the Titans get to wear the iconic throwbacks against the Texans and Houston fans will be forced to root against the colors they spent years rooting for.
It’s unclear if Vrabel is poking fun at the franchise or just having some fun with his outfit, but either way, Houston fans are looking at this game as an absolute grudge match.
