Jan 4, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) warms up before the AFC Wild Card NFL Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
There were elevated stakes during the Sunday clash between the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans — according to former Texans star JJ Watt, that is.
The Texans outlasted the Titans 19-16 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Houston won in overtime thanks to a successful 54-yard field goal attempt by Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.
TEXANS WIN IN TENNESSEE! #HOUvsTEN pic.twitter.com/OaLierESs8
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
The biggest storyline of the contest, however, arguably revolved around the Titans’ uniforms.
Tennessee used their throwback Oilers uniforms against Houston, much to the chagrin of Texans fans. The red, white, and powder blue threads were famously the Titans franchise’s colors before the team moved from Houston to Tennessee in 1997. Several fans called the Titans’ loss karma for the perceived disrespect.
NEVER WEAR OUR HOUSTON OILERS UNIFORMS AGAIN YOU BUMS!! pic.twitter.com/rnZmk65WEx
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) December 17, 2023
You decide to do Oilers cosplay and then you end up losing in classic Oilers fashion to a team missing 8 starters including QB, top two WRs and both RTs.
The uniforms still have the same juju I remember from watching them growing up.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) December 17, 2023
Listen….. Texans going into Tennessee and beating the Titans while they wear those Oilers throwbacks does feel a bit like karma.
— Jay Arnold (@CoachJayArnold) December 17, 2023
Watt appeared to believe the Titans’ loss meant more than just karmic retribution on the football field. The former Texans defensive end posted on X that Tennessee is obligated to return the uniforms to Houston altogether.
“We get the uniforms back. That’s how this works, I don’t make the rules. Sorry, not sorry. Too bad, so sad,” said Watt after the game.
We get the uniforms back.
That’s how this works, I don’t make the rules.Sorry, not sorry.
Too bad, so sad.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 17, 2023
Despite Watt’s post, the Titans probably won’t be returning the colors anytime soon. But the result at least gave Houstonians some sweet revenge for at least one game.
The University of Houston football team used an alternate uniform that resembled the throwback Oilers jerseys earlier this year. The NFL later took action against what was meant to be a tribute to Houston’s football history.