Houston Texans: Scorned City, TX

"I don’t mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that’s how it comes out.” – Bill Hicks"

Bill Hicks was a comedian that got his start in Houston. When listening to his stand up, you’re taken in by how he just laid it all out there. He took aim at society’s materialistic ways, superficial tendencies, and settling for mediocrity.

At the end of A Football Life: Houston ’93 (Yes, I just now got around to watching it), they show bitter fans and a city that had enough.

Now I was born in the south, and I played baseball in my youth. Football didn’t become intriguing to me until my brain could really absorb everything that was going on, so in the mid-90s was when football was finally starting to click, then the Houston Oilers dropped a ninja smoke bomb on me.

I struggled to grasp the reasoning behind it all. I do remember a conversation I had with my Grandpa, about the whole ordeal. It went something like this:

Me: Why did the Oilers leave?
Grandpa: Well, the owner is mad because we won’t build him a new stadium.
Me: Huh?
Grandpa: He wants us to build him a place called the Bud Dome.
Me: Huh?

There are two sides to every story, of course. I can understand why Bud Adams wanted a new stadium. But justifying moving the team is still about as rational as me being terrified of spiders.

Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Everything that I have ever read about Bud Adams is that he was a greedy man. He was born into money. But just not any kind of money, oil money. So he knew where to go to get oil money.

Remember the scene in Blow, after George and Diego made that deal with Pablo Escobar? A montage of photos start appearing on the screen of George and Diego shaking hands with “business people”, counting money, briefcase exchanges, partying, and cocaine, while “Blinded By The Light” was jamming in the background. That’s how I imagine Bud Adams time in Houston (except for the cocaine).

Bud Adams single-handedly crushed Houston when he moved the Oilers. That resentment has not left this city.

Bob McNair has a huge task on his hands. The fan base knows that he has good intentions, but at the same time we’re scorned and impatient for a winner. Which isn’t a good combo, when he has been patient with a lot of things that have happened over our short history.

McNair said, that he expects to see a quick turnaround next season.

I really hope that he’s seeing something that I am not. I see huge holes. Most notably – offensive line, linebackers, and quarterback.

For once, we will get to see what Rick Smith brings to the table. I think he was Kubiak’s puppet the past 8 years. At least I am hoping that is the case. Some of the draft choices and off season moves just seemed way too “Kubiak” to think otherwise.

It’s going to be tough to watch these last two games. Most fans have already checked out, hoping for a fresh start next season.

Houston Texans fans aren’t on the verge of throwing in the towel like back in the mid-90s. But, we are cold, cruel, and bitter from our past. McNair has the challenge of balancing fans and expectations with the new regime. Something he didn’t do in the past.