In 1997, the Oilers became the first NFL team to call Tennessee home when the franchise relocated to the Volunteer state. Two years later in 1999, the franchise retired the nickname Oilers and became known as the Titans.

In 1998, Adams established an advisory committee of Tennesseans who were tasked with supporting the team to develop a new name for the state's first NFL franchise. The organization changed its name from the 'Tennessee Oilers' to the 'Tennessee Titans' beginning with the 1999 season.

The main element, the circle, is a symbol of the sun, while the “T” is the first letter of the club's name, and the three stars represent the Tennessee State, as are also present on its flag. As for the flame, it is a tribute to the historical roots of the “Titans” name and the Greek mythology it comes from.

The Oilers played one season in Memphis and one in Nashville at Vanderbilt University's football stadium before their home stadium was completed prior to the 1999 season. The team was then rechristened the Tennessee Titans, a name derived from Nashville's sobriquet of “the Athens of the South.”