NFL Demands Houston Cougars Stop Wearing Oilers-Themed Uniforms

The news comes shortly after the Titans sported the Columbia-blue uniforms.

The University of Houston paid homage to the city’s former NFL team, the Oilers, by sporting a similar throwback uniform earlier this season.

However, the NFL is trying to put a stop to this alternate uniform after the league sent a cease-and-desist letter to the university this month, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte.

This news comes one day after the Titans, who were formerly the Oilers, wore the throwback uniforms on Sunday. The Cougars wore their Oilers-themed uniforms on Sept. 2 in their home opener against UTSA.

The Houston Cougars paid homage to the erstwhile Houston Oilers franchise with Columbia-blue uniforms in their 2023 season opener :: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

The Cougars’ usage of the uniforms “violates the intellectual property rights of the NFL” because the Titans now own the uniform, according to NFL attorney Bonnie L. Jarrett.

Duarte reported that the Cougars have taken down social media posts that included the Oilers-themed throwbacks, and the school hasn’t sold any merchandise with that color scheme. Although crosstown rival Rice also wore an Oilers-themed uniform set for its Sept. 30 game against East Carolina, Duarte reported the Owls hadn’t been contacted by the NFL about the matter as of Sunday night.