I don't know how this stuff ultimately works, legally, and league-approval-wise - but a) I don't view the Lions and Oilers/Titans blues as remotely similar (all the teams, essentially, use the same 4-5 primary colors; shade is undoubtedly a factor); b) Detroit (who predates the Oilers) are not a division or conference foe of the Titans, nor do they share the same city as a home. So I wouldn't think that's an issue. Honestly, the Chargers switching back to powder blue might've been an issue - but, again, those jerseys pre-date the NFL and are part of the team's legacy. With the Texans - they don't have that history; they don't, technically, have a connection to the Oilers, either. So getting approval to use a color scheme that essentially invokes the Oilers seems like something the NFL would've blocked. Of course, we're speculating here - we don't know how much the new uniforms will incorporate Columbia blue. But if the color scheme is Oilers-adjacent, I'm going to guess the team paid the Titans $$$$$$$ to make it happen.
I think you raise a fair point, and I agree with it. Just was playing devil's advocate in that there has to be a threshold. I think it's probably a lot more of a hurdle than most think, as well. It's going to be super interesting to see what happens. I think there's been so much smoke with the color, that if it were just a tiny little accent, most would be disappointed. I also think that the gaudy script and the increased (as of late) use of HTown, and the bull horns, is without a doubt a preemptive marketing tactic. I think if we switch to that font and only use the blue as a small accent, then it's a huge letdown for most fans. Just spitballing here, but I appreciate the discussion, even if tangentially, for the most part.
The Titans *do* use a Columbia blue-like color - but I don't believe it's the same color, and their current scheme doesn't really have much connection to the Oilers. So I don't know how that's litigated. But the Titans shoving the Oilers colors down everyone's throats makes me think there was something behind it: a swan song; or an FU to the Texans because they "won" the right to use Oiler colors; or... I don't know: I've long advocated for the Texans to forge their own unique identity. If the Oiler blue is a small accent, I'd be perfectly happy. But Oiler-blue jerseys and/or pants.... wouldn't move my needle.
The problem is the widely varying opinion of what a good jersey is. You will NOT please anyone and you've had a successful reveal if you can get 30- to 40% approval off the bat. I don't particularly like change, but others want constant change.Heck, I still like the St. Louis Rams Uniform.
Honestly don’t think it is that difficult. Bringing back some variation of the Luv Ya Blue would’ve please a lot of fans right off the bat IMO. However slapping random Old English font front and center of the jersey will likely make it a different story.
The jerseys I thought were the coolest were the ones someone posted that said Apollos on them. But as you stated many probably do not. I will wait for @DonnyMost to provide his Haute Couture point of view.
This was a fun rabbit hole to dive down. I've just always thought that the Texans uniforms fell into this awful no-man's-land between traditional and avant garde. Pick a lane, you know? It also feels like the name (which is its own mistake) has painted the franchise into a corner they can't get out of. We'll see how creative they get.
I remember way back when seeing some black and purple designs for the Apollo name that I liked a lot before they chose Texans as the name.
I mean... these are legit, aren't they? This is the leak? Who has actual jerseys, professionally photographed?
