Kenneth Stanley “Bud†Adams, a Texas oilman who brought the National Football League to Nashville and ignited the city’s love affair with the Tennessee Titans, died on Oct. 21, 2013, The Tennessean confirmed this morning. He was 90.
Adams founded the Houston Oilers in 1959 as part of the new American Football League. Until his death he remained owner, chairman of the board, and president and CEO of the franchise that became the Titans in 1999 after a controversial departure from Houston.
He was one of only four NFL owners to reach the 350-win plateau, a milestone he shared with Ralph Wilson (Buffalo Bills), Dan Rooney (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Al Davis (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders).
Adams’ franchise earned 21 playoff appearances in 50 seasons — a total that ranks fifth all-time among NFL teams since 1960 — yet it never realized his dream of winning a Super Bowl.
“I'd like to wear (a ring) that says, ‘Super Bowl champions’ on there. … I'll keep my fingers crossed,’’ Adams said in a 2009 interview. “But at my age I just take it one day, one game at a time. You can't build your hopes up.â€
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Adams also won praise for his contributions to the community.
In May 2010 he gave $200,000 to help victims of the Nashville floods, and since the franchise moved to Tennessee, local charities have received approximately $18 million from the Titans and the NFL, according to the team.
The night before Super Bowl XLVI in January of 2012, the NFL honored Adams for his efforts in supporting U.S. service members and veterans. He was the first recipient of the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, the league’s official military appreciation sponsor.
Adams was also heavily involved with the troops stationed at Fort Campbell, located not far from Nashville on the Kentucky state line, and home to the Army’s 101st Airborne Division as well as the Night Stalker and Green Beret special operations forces. Since 1999, more than 11,000 Fort Campbell soldiers have been guests of Adams and the Titans at LP Field.
Adams founded the Houston Oilers in 1959 as part of the new American Football League. Until his death he remained owner, chairman of the board, and president and CEO of the franchise that became the Titans in 1999 after a controversial departure from Houston.
He was one of only four NFL owners to reach the 350-win plateau, a milestone he shared with Ralph Wilson (Buffalo Bills), Dan Rooney (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Al Davis (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders).
Adams’ franchise earned 21 playoff appearances in 50 seasons — a total that ranks fifth all-time among NFL teams since 1960 — yet it never realized his dream of winning a Super Bowl.
“I'd like to wear (a ring) that says, ‘Super Bowl champions’ on there. … I'll keep my fingers crossed,’’ Adams said in a 2009 interview. “But at my age I just take it one day, one game at a time. You can't build your hopes up.â€
[....]
Adams also won praise for his contributions to the community.
In May 2010 he gave $200,000 to help victims of the Nashville floods, and since the franchise moved to Tennessee, local charities have received approximately $18 million from the Titans and the NFL, according to the team.
The night before Super Bowl XLVI in January of 2012, the NFL honored Adams for his efforts in supporting U.S. service members and veterans. He was the first recipient of the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, the league’s official military appreciation sponsor.
Adams was also heavily involved with the troops stationed at Fort Campbell, located not far from Nashville on the Kentucky state line, and home to the Army’s 101st Airborne Division as well as the Night Stalker and Green Beret special operations forces. Since 1999, more than 11,000 Fort Campbell soldiers have been guests of Adams and the Titans at LP Field.
I wasn't aware that he was so personally involved with Fort Campbell, but that makes sense now that I think about it, because I've never been to a Titans game when there wasn't an abundance of soldiers in uniform around.