20 years ago today, the Tennessee Oilers broke the bank for Yancey Thigpen
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Pittsburgh Steelers had embarrassed the Tennessee Oilers just 55 days earlier.
The home team had won at the Liberty Bowl, 16-6 to go 8-8. But fans in black and gold filled the place.
Attendance was 50-677 that on Dec. 21, 1997 – nearly 20,000 more than the second-biggest crowd the team had drawn in a misguided commuter year.
It was the game that prompted Bud Adams to admit a second season as a Memphis tenant was untenable.
As the franchise looked forward, on the second day of free agency it made a big move at its weakest spot, signing receiver Yancey Thigpen away from the Steelers.
Twenty years ago today they gave Thigpen a five-year, $21.5 million deal with a $5.5 million signing bonus.
Steve McNair turned 25 that day.
Login to Read the Full Story
Not Already a Member?
Membership includes access to everything on the site – articles, videos and potentially podcasts. You’ll be welcome to private Periscope sessions where only members can ask questions, have a spot on a private Facebook page where we can discuss everything and get priority placement in mailbag posts. PaulKuharsky.com will provide analysis and insight on the Titans and the league that simply can’t be found elsewhere, plus occasional rants from me on non-football stuff I come across.
You are not authorised to post comments.