Memphis Tennessee Oilers | Season: 1997-1998

[@danieldougan269]

Both fans in attendance at the Liberty Bowl had a good time!

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Eddie George-HB Steve McNair- QB Frank Wycheck- TE/FB Chris Sanders- WR Brad Hopkins- tackle Jon Runyan- tackle Bruce Matthews- HOF offensive lineman Marcus Robertson- Free Safety Joe Bowden- Linebacker Blaine Bishop- Strong Safety Darrell Walker- CB Eddie Robinson- linebacker Henry Ford-DT

[@FallacyUnknown]

Rip Frank wycheck

[@Titanup_2740]

Samari rolle-CB

[@SuperDave30]

Wow I didn’t even know Memphis had NFL team before relocating Nashville late become Tennessee Titans amazing history you dig up!

[@ThomasD3]

It was VERY controversial in Memphis at the time because we made several attempts for an NFL franchise. We even had a ton of preseason NFL games over the years. It worked out great for both cities because it ultimate led to Memphis pursuing the Vancouver Grizzlies!

[@SuperDave30]

Thomas D3 even before the Grizzlies establish home here, the NBA had exhibition games at The Pyramid I do remember Penny Hardaway and Orlando Magic had 1 exhibition game here just let Penny play In front of hometown crowd.

[@g6686not]

@@SuperDave30Jordan and the Bulls played the Blazers here at the Pyramid too.

[@SuperDave30]

g6686not I believe you are right just think 🤔 The Chicago Bulls had exhibition game at The Pyramid

[@ThomasD3]

I do remember hearing about the Steelers fans packing the Liberty Bowl at an Oilers home game!

[@adamcarroll6438]

Who's here from Urinatingtree's video on the Oilers?

[@Davidjon1946]

Love that guy

[@phillyfan-182]

@@Davidjon1946he’s so freaking funny 😆

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

5:50 McNair throws a 48 yard touchdown pass to WR Chris Sanders (81) against the Oakland Raiders

[@jckrell]

I went to the first game in Memphis against the Raiders which was a nice sunny Sunday at 12:00. Then went to the last game against Pittsburgh and that was a cold rainy day. At both games the majority of the fans were for the opposing team and not the Tennessee team. Memphis did not like it that the team was going to be based in Nashville and they were using Memphis until they could get their Stadium built. They were supposed to be in Memphis for 2 years but after a year of having the fans boo them Jeff Fisher said he did not want to play in Memphis anymore. Can't blame Memphis. They had tried for over 20 years to get a team hosted NFL exhibition games Etc while Nashville never did anything. Nashville's mayor struck a deal with the Houston owner and the team went there. Memphis wanted no part of it.

[@swirling5418]

I was there 💙❤️

[@ThomasD3]

that's awesome!

[@connarcowanakacliffordoneo9095]

Thats awesome. What were your memories from that season? That must have been fun!

[@ericpackers1700]

@@connarcowanakacliffordoneo9095 air McNair

[@erics2739]

Saw this after watching theirr loss to the Bengals when they had boomer again on old school Sunday night football

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

6:33 Eddie George TD run

[@JELew-yk3bm]

I actually have the whole 1997 season on DVDs I been trying to upload them on youtube

[@davee164]

What's stopping you?

[@JELew-yk3bm]

@@davee164 i uploaded jags @ titans 2002 game but KZbin keeps giving me issues cause of the commericals

[@ThomasD3]

Titans' 20 seasons sprang from rocky start in Memphis www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2016/08/02/titans-20-seasons-sprang-rocky-start-memphis/87707784/

[@ThomasD3]

From article: “We got off the buses and we walked the carpet and people really didn’t give a crap about anything we were doing,” recalls a chuckling Frank Wycheck, who played tight end. “They had their drinks in their hand like everyone does on Beale Street and they were just kind of walking around, going into the restaurants and bars. No one knew who the hell we were. We just got totally embarrassed. Memphis’ tepid response to that first preseason game on Aug. 2, 1997 would prove an accurate precursor of the year ahead. Memphis long pined for an NFL team of its own and never warmed up to the idea of babysitting Nashville’s franchise."

[@ThomasD3]

"Memphis was considered the more likely landing spot for an NFL team in Tennessee, having played host to more than 10 preseason games over the years. But the Bluff City was rebuffed at least three times when it came to expansion or relocation. In the latter years, the NFL said it was because of the decaying state of the Liberty Bowl, the city’s football stadium. So there was natural resentment of the NFL in Memphis, a sentiment that only grew worse in 1996 when the league approved owner Bud Adams’ plan to relocate his Houston Oilers to - of all places - Nashville."

[@ericpackers1700]

@@ThomasD3 love the Old nfl films

[@ThomasD3]

@@ericpackers1700 Thanks!