Bud Adams, the Houston Oilers founder who moved the team to Tennessee, died in Houston Monday from natural causes in his home at the age of 90.
In 15 seasons as the Titans, the franchise won the American Football Conference Championship for the 1999 season (culminating in a trip to Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, where the Titans were defeated by the Rams in one of the most exciting games in Super Bowl history), captured the AFC Central Division Championship (2000) and AFC South Division Championships (2002, 2008), built an enormous home field advantage (71-45 record at home) and the loyalty of millions of fans across the nation and throughout the world. The popularity of the Titans has translated into 150 consecutive sell-outs at LP Field.
During Adams’ illustrious career, 67 of his players were Pro Bowl selections, including one AFL Most Valuable Player, two NFL MVP’s and five offensive or defensive Rookies of the Year. Also, nine of Adams’ players, including Curley Culp this year, were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. In each of the past eight seasons, Adams was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a special contributor. In recognition of the 40th season of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans organization, Adams created an official team Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor that features players and staff from the past, while creating a special place for Titans stars of the future to be recognized.
Adams and his wife Nancy were married for 62 years before her passing in February of 2009. They raised two daughters, Susie Smith and Amy Strunk, and a son, Kenneth S. Adams III, who is deceased. Adams had seven grandchildren.
Funeral information will be available in the coming days.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family.
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