Groman

Houston's other prolific receiver in its championship seasons was Bill Groman.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

Like Hennigan, Groman also had left a teaching job to take his shot at the pros, where he earned $8,000 his first season.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

"He convinced Lou to wait and give me a shot," Groman says.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

Groman, 73, also has championship rings from 1961 with the Oilers, and from 1964 and 1965, with Buffalo.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

"The main thing I remember is just how much fun it was," says Groman, who had played at Division III Heidelberg in Ohio.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

Luckily for Groman, he had been recommended to the Oilers by an old friend of Rymkus, Bob Snyder, who had been a Pro Bowl quarterback for the Bears in the 1940s.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

That decision was validated by a Groman touchdown catch in the first AFL championship game, which Houston won 24-16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, who had Jack Kemp at quarterback.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

Groman says his rehab was curtailed because, we only had one whirlpool, one of those old stainless-steel ones.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

Groman still lives in Houston and goes to the stadium to watch the University of Houston's football team and to remember his Oilers.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009

Groman went on to be an NFL scout for 36 years, with several clubs, including the Oilers.

Titans owner Bud Adams often overlooked in launch of AFL 2009