Report: Houston football going against NFL by sticking with alternate uniform

The Houston Cougars fought back against the NFL regarding its blue football uniforms. Athletic Director Chris Pezman opened up in an interview with the Houston Chronicle about the program’s planned usage of the color.

Back in October of 2023, the NFL told the school to stop wearing the Oilers-inspired uniforms. Prior to the Houston Oilers relocating to Tennessee to become the Titans, the Oilers had flashy powder-blue colors.

Despite the franchise’s relocation, the Titans still wear throwbacks of their Houston days. However, Pezman won’t see the end of the color for his Cougars.

“We’re doing it,” Pezman told Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle. “We’ve reviewed everything and come to the conclusion that we are going to proceed.”

The University of Houston  informed the league of its position. As of Tuesday, the NFL had not responded, according to Pro Football Talk.

“We’re giving them two or three weeks to respond,” Pezman said. “We’re waiting on a response to see if we get one. We literally have a story we can show the city uses it. This isn’t a reach. This is a layup. We’ve got a very defensible position.”

The official “Luv Ya Blue” look was worn by the Houston Oilers from 1960-96. The team then moved to Nashville and became the Tennessee Oilers from 1997-98. 

In 1999, the franchise altered its name to Titans, changed the logo and incorporated navy blue as the team’s primary color, while still utilizing the powder blue and red.

This past season, the Titans paid homage to their time in Houston by breaking out their own “Luv Ya Blue” jerseys for two games.

Regardless of your feelings on the uniforms, it seems to be a Houston thing. Granted, the Titans are the former Oilers franchise, but it begs a few questions.

Why aren’t the Houston Texans allowed to represent the city at this point? Even the legacy team?

If it’s a Houston thing, the university should have no issue wearing the uniforms. The NFL can make whatever decision it wants, but it’d be quite the look to see the league bring a lawsuit to the forefront.

For now, it seems like the Cougars will go back to their alternate blue uniforms for a game or two. Don’t forget, Houston’s colors are red and white, primarily.

So stay tuned to the Houston saga, college and NFL it seems. Who lays claim to the uniform and heck, even the color?