Bud Adams led a fascinating life. He played college football at Kansas, served in the Navy during World War II and founded an oil company which became the first of many successful businesses. Adams also made professional football history in 1959 when he took a huge risk and co-founded the American Football League with Lamar Hunt.
During the 1960’s, the AFL changed the landscape of professional football, helping to create an exciting brand of football that captured the imagination of fans everywhere. From the AFL’s rise came increased television ratings, the creation of the Super Bowl and, later, a merger with the NFL. In other words, the decision to create the American Football League profoundly and positively changed professional sports forever.
Adams is also an historic figure in Tennessee sports history for one decision: his move of the Houston Oilers to Nashville. His 1995 phone call to then-Nashville mayor Phil Bredesen dramatically changed the landscape of sports in Tennessee. The Titans and their fans have made LP Field one of the most respected sports venues in the country in less than a decade. Many say that the Titans-Rams showdown in Super Bowl XXXIV is the league’s most exciting championship game ever.
From 1999-2003, the Titans won an NFL-best 56 games. Along with their Super Bowl appearance, the team also won two division titles, has gone to the playoffs four times, has appeared in the AFC Championship Game twice, had the best record in football in 2000 and featured the league’s Co-Most Valuable Player in 2003 (Steve McNair).In 2006, the Titans celebrated their tenth season of playing football in Tennessee.
Another area Adams has made an incredible difference is through his lifelong charitable endeavors. In just the decade that the franchise has been in this state, charities across Tennessee have received approximately 15 million dollars in donations from Adams, his Titans Foundation and through team-related NFL funding.
With the passing of Bud Adams, it was only fitting that he was the first person with the Tennessee Titans organization to be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.