The University of Houston's season-opening throwback uniforms that evoked memories of the old Houston Oilers were wildly popular among players and fans. Not so much with the NFL.
The NFL's merchandising and licensing division sent a cease-and-desist letter to the school demanding they halt any further use of the uniforms, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday.
On Sept. 2, the Cougars wore Columbia blue uniforms with a white Houston script across the front outlined in red -- similar to the jerseys worn by the Houston Oilers during their "Luv Ya Blue" era. The university was careful to say their uniforms were a tribute to "H-Town pride" in a nod to the city's fondness for the Oilers, who decamped for Tennessee after the 1996 season.