Texas NFL Teams: Franchises That Played In The Lone Star State
Take a dive into the fascinating world of Texas NFL teams, where everything is bigger and football is king!
Football in Texas is more than just a game, it’s a way of life. From Friday night lights to Sunday afternoon showdowns, football is a part of the culture. In this journey through history, we will explore the Texas NFL teams that represented Lone Star State since the league’s founding in 1920.
Dallas Texans (1952)
The Dallas Texans burst onto the scene in 1952, eager to make their mark in the NFL. But their first game was a tough pill to swallow – a 24-6 home loss to the New York Giants. Despite their best efforts, home attendance plummeted, reaching a low of 10,000 fans for a game against the Los Angeles Rams. Things took a turn for the worse when the team owners found themselves unable to make payroll. This forced them to return the Texans to the league. The team played out the rest of the season as a traveling squad, never once setting foot in Texas. Sadly, the NFL ultimately folded the Texans.
Dallas Texans (1960-62, now the Kansas City Chiefs)
In 1960, Lamar Hunt brought back the Dallas Texans name, but this wasn’t just a rehash of the old club that played in 1952. This new team played American Football League games in Texas for two years, winning the AFL Championship in 1962. Hunt later relocated the team to Kansas City in 1963. The rest is history – he renamed the team as the Kansas City Chiefs and it went on to become a legendary NFL franchise.
Dallas Cowboys (1960-present)
The Dallas Cowboys are a successful NFL franchise with a rich history. Founded in 1960, the Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, making it to the showpiece event eight times. They are known as “America’s Team” and have engaged in dynamic rivalries with other teams. The best of which is arguably the Washington Commanders. They have played their home games at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, since 2009.
Houston Oilers (1960-1996, now the Tennessee Titans)
The Houston Oilers played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis. Winners of the first two AFL championships plus another four division titles, the Oilers joined the NFL in 1970. This was as part of the AFL-NFL merger. The team became the Tennessee Oilers for the 1997 and 1998 seasons, before moving operations to the Nissan Stadium in Nashville in 1999. To this day, it is known as the Tennessee Titans. The Titans achieved success in the early 2000s, reaching the Super Bowl in the 1999 season.
Houston Texans (2002-present)
The Houston Texans became the NFL’s 32nd franchise in 2002, bringing professional football back to Houston. After building their roster and identity, the Texans won the first of their six AFC South titles in 2011. They made their first playoff appearance later that year as well. Their home games have all gone down at the NRG Stadium in Houston since 2002.
What Was The First NFL Team To Play In Texas?
The first NFL team to play in Texas was the Dallas Texans in 1952. This National Football League franchise lasted one year, as it struggled to draw crowds and win games. The Texans only played eight games in the Lunar State before the owners, Giles and Connell Miller, returned the team to the NFL. The league relocated the Texans to Pennsylvania and Ohio for the rest of the season. They finished with a 1-11 record before folding.
How Many NFL Teams Are In Texas?
The Lone Star State boasts not one, but two professional football teams. These are the iconic Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans.
Other American Football Teams In Texas
Besides the NFL teams in Texas, there are other American football teams at various levels of competition. Here are a few examples:
- College Football Teams: Texas is known for its passionate college football culture. The state is home to several notable university football programs. These include the Texas A&M Aggies, Baylor Bears, University of Texas Longhorns, and Texas Tech Red Raiders, among others. These teams compete in NCAA Division I.
- High School Football Teams: High school football in Texas has a strong following. Many Texas high schools have storied football programs and fiercely competitive teams. Some of the most popular ones include Aledo, Carthage, and Austin Westlake.
- Semi-Professional and Amateur Football Teams: Texas has a significant presence of semi-professional and amateur football teams. These clubs take part in various leagues. They provide opportunities for players to continue playing the sport beyond the high school or college level.
- Indoor Football Teams: There have been indoor football teams in Texas, participating in leagues such as the Indoor Football League (IFL) or the Champions Indoor Football (CIF). Examples include the Amarillo Venom, Dallas Marshals, and Texas Revolution, among others.
- Arena Football Teams: While the Arena Football League (AFL) has undergone changes in recent years, there have been arena football teams in Texas, such as the Dallas Desperados and Austin Wranglers.
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