Last year, Deadspin highlighted the issue of wimpy team nicknames and highlighted these as the wussiest. It was an incredibly popular subject, and Deadspin's commenters found some truly awful names. Recently I gave some thought to what the worst team nickname of all--high school, college, professional sports included. I think the worst name in sports is the Tennessee Titans. Before you disagree with me, here's the video evidence to prove it (maybe a little NSFW):
Video Link
Sorry, No Photos Yeah, the Redskins have a name that is basically a Native American slur, but at least they have an excuse that it dates back to the 1930's and is intended to honor native peoples rather than offend.
When NFL owner Bud Adams moved his team, he wanted to keep the name Oilers but the folks in Tennessee wouldn't allow it. So in 1998, he put together an advisory counsel to come up with names and had a "Guess The Name" contest to get more feedback. Later that year, the name "Tennessee Titans" was chosen, meant to reflect, as Adams said, "strength, leadership and other heroic qualities."
Apparently, Adams isn't particularly familiar with the sordid details of Greek mythology.
Tennessee is a lovely state with beautiful urban centers. To much of the country, however, Tennessee might be considered backwards and hillbilly. So, I am wondering why you would name your team after Greek gods who had, uh er, lots of improper sexual relationships between family members and other bad stuff.
The best I can figure is that Bud Adams likes alliteration, doesn't know much about Greek mythology, but figured "Tennessee Tuxedos" was out of the question.
To add insult to injury, the logo choice of a flaming tack/flaming meatball might also be one of the worst logos in sport too. Adams said, "I feel we have developed a logo that fans throughout the state of Tennessee and around the country will embrace for years to come."
Of course, if you have seen the clothes that man has worn over the years, you can understand why he thought people might like that logo. Besides, he couldn't have chosen a logo that involved improper sexual relationships between family members because I think that would be really hard to draw and merchandise.
There's tons of awful sport nicknames out there. Check out this website for nicknames of every college team in America, which includes some wildly questionable ones.
All that being said, I think the Titans name is the worst name of all factoring in: 1. Value of team; 2. They actually spent time, consideration and money choosing this name; 3. That the naming was done in the 1990's and not more than a half century ago; 4. Tennessee folks sensitive to hillbilly talk pick a Greek myth chock full of inbreeding and assorted ook.
So, after watching the video, have I convinced you? If not, tell me some worse sports nicknames. And if you were given the choice of naming the Tennessee franchise, what name would you have picked?
Comments (Page 4 of 6)
Tman-
I never said that I was surprised by some Titan fans being upset about what I wrote. If fans had no idea that their team was named after a Greek mythology of inbred, defeated, child-eating, father-castrating gods, and someone told the world that, I'm pretty certain that they wouldn't like that so much.
If you wrote about the Texans or any other team having the worst name in sport, and you put together a toy video to demonstrate that, I'm not sure what my reaction would be. But I can tell you what it wouldn't be....
I wouldn't call you an idiot. It wouldn't get my panties in a wad. If it were clever, I'd tip my hat. And if it weren't, I'd probably ignore it.
But I probably wouldn't leave blog comments that say something to the effect of "waaaah, people in Tennessee are wealthy people" or "waaaah, people in Tennessee are more smarter then you" or "waaah, we are all about the Greeks" or "waaah, Titans are strong, and ignore what their history is" or any other sort of waaah-my-pee-pee hurts overly defensive sort of comment.
It's a doll video.
It's nice to see you around. Maybe you can visit some more when we are talking more football and not goofing on team nicknames.
-Steph
Steph,
Of course you realize "waaah-my-pee-pee hurts" are fightin' words here in Tennessee. Careful now.
In all seriousness, I understand your point about the Titans and the video was pretty funny. But I love the name and I love the team. I could do without Bud Adams, but that's who we got. He's already managed to piss off Nashville the way the organization treated McNair, but I doubt he has to the degree that he pissed off Houston.
That being said, isn't it about time we rehashed the 2006 draft for the 6 millionth time this year?
Soory, but to me, the Washington Wizards will always be the worst name in sports. Tennessee Titans is not even the worst name in football! The Baltimore Ravens may be an allusion to Poe, but poetry is not exactly what I want to make reference to if I want to strike fear into my opponents! And who, since Alfred Hitchcock, has ever been afraid of a big, ugly, black bird?
Steph, I STILL heart you, though. Muah!
Hey Stephanie,
THIS HAS TO BE THE DUMBEST, STUPIDEST, BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME article I ever read in my entire life. You need to get a life and get real, please don't ever ever ever write again.(It'll be much appreciated.) Why do you have to be cutting on a team because of their name?????? What's wrong with the Tennessee Titans? Please never write again. Oh and while your at it can you please grow up.
"If I have to explain to you why the Titans logo is awful, I am not sure that I can do it."
Boy, it's too bad you can't explain the opinions you posit in your article--seems like the kind of skill a writer might want to cultivate.
"If fans had no idea that their team was named after a Greek mythology of inbred, defeated, child-eating, father-castrating gods, and someone told the world that, I'm pretty certain that they wouldn't like that so much."
"I see my role here as one of trying to inform...Now people know what Titan mythology is all about."
First of all, do you actually see yourself as enlightening "the world" to the fact the Greek gods were incestuous? Groundbreaking stuff. Second, notwithstanding your opinion of what Titan mythology is all about, I think there might be a bit more than you're letting on; please, inform us.
And finally, "To much of the country, however, Tennessee might be considered backwards and hillbilly. So, I am wondering why you would name your team after Greek gods who had, uh er, lots of improper sexual relationships between family members"
If I had to venture a guess, I'd say the possibility that some clever person might inform us all that the Titans were incestuous, and that the "Deliverance" stereotype still exists, 10 years after the name was chosen wasn't even considered in the debate.
This article was neither informative nor entertaining.
Hey Steph,
This post, right here, is precisely why the Interwebs exist. From inbreeding to the rampant molestation of Barbie dolls (guilty!) to people throwing hissy-fits over the video, it's the perfect storm of hilarity. Well done.
(Seriously, people, if you are going to tell Steph to grow up, at least use big people's language and spelling. HAHAHA!!!)
Hey Tman, is the bet with Matt set up yet?
#20--Jackson, You crack me up! Your reply is so funny and clever.
Take care of your liver!
while Titans in greek mythology were fairly well you know// they also ruled there kingdom(football field) with no mercy this is were they went so while backwards I think its a good nic (and p.s. I am not a titans fan I am a lions fan sigh)
Hey old lady, nice loss again today. That's six in a row, chain smoker.
Preston,
Congratulations on the Tennessee victory today. Though it is not terribly germaine to this particular entry about the Titan name however. JJ should have a game recap up soonishly.
By the way, I strongly urge no one to smoke, much less chain smoke.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Have a nice evening.
Steph
I know this is meant to be a joke, but it doesn't even make any sense. If we're talking mythological figures, inbreeding's negative results in humans doesn't apply. What were they meant to do, go bone a Greek whore? Yeah, that would make sense. Half puny human half Titan.
Could it be possible such perfect sculptured beings of human likeliness and god stature could overcome the human shortcomings of inbreeding?
And there is nothing wrong with the logo. Besides the fact logos which trail off to the back of the helmet just look better (makes them look quicker, almost like wings), It's a flaming T. It's not a freaking hard concept to grasp. Better that than some lame cow head for a team named after mere mortal humans in a state. Wow, that's intimidating, lol. Mooooooooooo.
I challenge you to find a religion in the history of civilization whose mythology is not rife with sexual deviance.
Greek mythology is pretty freaky but if you are an educated person I'm sure you realize how indebted modern civilization is to he Greeks.
"Titan" is used fairly regularly in popular culture, just as it was in Greek literature, to connote size or strength. As a cultural reference I've never heard it to represent incest or cannibalism.
You obviously have a personal distaste for the logo also. I thought it was clever how they combined the state flag with Athenic sword and flame. But aesthetics is purely subjective.
I also liked the choice of "Texans" for the expansion team given the state's reputation for self-importance. But if I wanted to write a tongue-in-cheek article to fill internet space I could easily call it unimaginative instead. The cow logo just reminds me of Longhorn Steakhouse and makes me hungry. But then it seems to do the same for Albert Haynesworth whenever we play you guys.
Have a good one.
I want the Houston Oilers BACK!!!! Do away with these stupid names that were lost to the past, The Titans, and the Texans. The original NY Titans, died away, let them stay dead! And the Dallas Texans, are now todays Kansas City Chiefs. I WANT MY OILERS BACK!!!!
Hi Steph, after stumbling upon your interesting tidbits of factual information on the Titans and their history, I thought I would share just a couple of factual points of my own. I am a transplanted Tennessean from South Carolina, but having lived here for 21 of my 42 years of life, I now consider it my home.
The "truth" og Greek mythology being what it is, there are some disturbing thoughts of being named the Titans. BUT, as we well know, over the course of time legends and truths are greatly forgotten and/or distorted to represnt what we wish them to ultimately want to be true. The "Titan" legend for teh most of humanity, while not entirely aacurate, is one of greatness, strength and supremacy, greater than the gods.
And the logo which you so claim is lame is one of great honor of the state of Tennessee and also to honor the legend of the Titans. The three stars representing the distinct three sections of the state. The colors also a reflection of the state flag. The so called T is actually representative of the greek sword that the Titans used in their conquests of mighty victories in battle, and lastly the flames which represent the heroic effort to take fire from the gods and give to man.
As for our mascot, the "rodent" is the raccoon. Not necessarily a fear instilling creature, unless of course you take into account their potential rabid state! LOL
Now, let's look at the Houston Texans, of course if you want to get technical about it they should more correctly be named the "Texians" based on historical fact about the eventual state of Texas.
Not a bad name if you are one in favor of the mundane. I suppose it could be worse, had the volunteers of the great state of Tennessee not shown up to help defend the republic of Texas in its burgeoning efforts of revolution, you could have been named the Santa Anna's?!
But what about good ole Sam Houston, of which the great city you are so proud of is named? Let's see,after his birth in Virginia, he spent the large part of his youth and early adult life growinf up where? That's right, in Tennesse. After spending much time growing up in Tennessee among the Cherokee Indians and learning from the "redskins" he proved to be quite adept at military strategy and leadership after moving up to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Then having served the state of Tennessee so honorably as a congressman and eventually the Governor, he moved to Texas with a few of his longtime friends where he promptly (in four years time) became the commander - in - chief of the Texas military and eventually dfeated Santa Anna and finally gained long sought independance for the republic of Texas. Not bad for a former "hillbilly from Tennesse" huh?
So, as I see it, in logo comparison it is the lame Titans logo of which I have forementioned the distinctions of earlier in this rant versus the blue, red and white "steer" logo which the McNairs and his adequately informed committee spent much "time, money and market research" on and that's the best they could come up with? Really now, at least we do have SOME interesting reasons for ours versus a Steer!
And lastly, I have to admit, I think the whole thing is simply a destitue, emotional and bitter attack of someone whose team left because their city wouldn't provide a viable stadium for them to play in and sulking because, even though you now have a state of the art, gorgeous, to die for venue in which to watch football, your miserably lame team keeps getting beaten by your once favorite Love Ya Blue!
Don't be bitter Steph, enjoy what you have and hopefully your team can eventually go 8-8 and maybe one day end up a yard short in the Super Bowl just like us!!!!!!!!
LOL
Oh, and by the way...one more interesting bit of factual history...Good Ole Sam Houston's nickname was "The Raven". So it looks like your angst is directed to teh wrong franchise. You should really be pissed at the city of Baltimore for taking your proud logo and nickname which you so deserve!!!!!!!
Titans Al,
Thanks for the time and energy it took to make your post. Yeah, I think what you are saying is the basis of the blog entry. That nobody would name a team The Titans if they had any idea of the true nature of what the Titans did. Yes, stuff gets lost in the history of time, and I was just making the point that the Titans were not heroic peoples.
Blogs can serve to educate and entertain.
I understand what your logo is supposed to symbolize, but I got to say from a graphic arts perspective, it's horrible. IMO, the best sports logos don't only symbolize things but are also simple, traditional and timeless. The Titans logo is very busy, but I suppose not as busy as it would be if you were trying to draw incestuous, inbred, child-eating ultimately defeated gods.
Having a logo that shows a T going down in flames, you can admit could be better.
And as for the history of Texas, are you saying that all the real men of Tennessee left to go to Texas? I can understand that.
As for what I wrote, I don't think it was terribly emotional. As you admit, the video is a factual representation of who the Titans were. Actually, it was slightly tamer than the actual mythology in parts.
I have no quarrel with people from Tennessee, nor am I envious or bitter about the Titans. I'm just funning. I feel bad that the only way your part of the world could get a team was to do business with the Bud. I hope that Bud never decides to treat your fanbase the same way he treated his home one. But he is who he is. Some day Vince Young will get the same classless treatment that Steve McNair and Warren Moon received from the Bud in the manner he kicked them to the curb.
Thanks everso for your comments, and good luck with the rest of your season.
-Steph
P.S. I understand that the reason that the Titans chose the Raccoon is that it matches Bud Adams' "hair" style. It's uncanny.
i have to be honest, thats no where near as bad as some of the MLS soccer names. they are stolen from europe which can be seen when some teams are given the designation of FC which is football club. over here i thought that football was with pigskin and with small usage of feet? out of all the many horrific team names to choose from, it would have to be real salt lake. i really don't know how else to explain it.
The "Lakers" made sense in Minn but definitely not LA. Ergo that is my nomination for the worst name in sports, with the Utah "Jazz" (formerly New Orleans) a close second.
Worst name is Miami Heat. Who decided it was a good idea to name teams after that locale's climate? What about the Green Bay "Cold", brrr... or the Seatle "Rain". Most team names not ending with "S" are lame. Minnesota Wild is a close second,which is twice as unfortunate, since their original team, the Northstars, had one of the best team names. Honorable mentions go to Utah Jazz and LA Lakers.
The name seems to suit them well in an sense, with Vince Young as the current QB. Vince is absolutely a titan in his sport, ranking as the 10th best college football player of all time. But QBs come and go, and this name will stay with the team probably long after Vince is gone.
Yes, the mythical titans were incestuous, but those were the times of Greece and Rome. Any myth that thrived in that period would thus entail these creatures having incestuous relations. In fact incest is common in many societies and periods of history. It was rampant in Greek and Roman periods, especially in wealthy/royal families. Anyway, we're referring to MYTHOLOGY here, so it's not like these ferocious, powerful gods were REAL, and "actually" sleeping with each others' brothers/sisters. In the end, the word "titan" is supposed to make someone think of a powerful, intimidating force. The term "titan" is used in business quite frequently, and has become a commonly used word in today's society--and today, it is never used to describe an incestuous, back-woods type person. Yes the word titan has some ugly history, but so what. I'd pick that over being a Slug any day. And I'd always pick Vince:)
And I apologize in advance for any and all grammatical errors. This was written in haste.