Kenneth Stanley "Bud" Adams, owner of the Tennessee Titans, died Monday at his home in Houston. He was 90.
"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Bud Adams," Woody Johnson, Jets chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "As one of the pioneers of the AFL, Bud helped the NFL become what it is today with his vision and passion for the game of football and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bud's family and the Tennessee Titans organization during this time."
Adams was instrumental in the founding of the American Football League and was a charter AFL owner in 1960 of the Houston Oilers, who won the league's first two championships in 1960 and '61. He moved the Oilers to Nashville, Tenn., in 1997, and they became the Titans in 1999, the year they also went on to play in Super Bowl XXXIV against the St. Louis Rams.
Adams was also the NFL's senior owner in terms of time served as an owner and his teams won 409 games and made 21 playoff appearances.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan, son of Buddy Ryan, also offered his sentiments to the Adams family.
"My dad was a coach under Bud Adams when he was with the Houston Oilers, at the time," Ryan said. "I know how he thought a great deal of Bud Adams and obviously what he meant to the NFL. I just wanted to send out condolences to his family."
