Category: Oregon Legends

Trailer released for Netflix’s ‘Quarterback’ documentary about Marcus Mariota, other NFL QBs

2022 was a wild year for Oregon Ducks’ legend Marcus Mariota. Netflix filmed it all for their ‘Quarterback’ documentary. Check out the trailer here.

A few months ago we told you about a new Netflix documentary series that was coming out detailing the lives of a handful of NFL quarterbacks throughout the 2022 football season, titled ‘Quarterbacks.’

Oregon Ducks’ legend Marcus Mariota is one of the several quarterbacks who will be highlighted, alongside Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, and Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.

The release date for that series has been announced, and it will premiere on the streaming platform this coming July 12.

The series is said to give unprecedented access into the lives of these players, who were mic’d up for every game, and it premieres this summer.

It was an interesting year for Mariota in particular, as he had a chance to get his NFL career back on the right track after serving as a backup for Derek Carr for several years with the Raiders. Mariota was named the starting QB for the Falcons before the year and played in 13 games, throwing for 15 TD and 9 INT.

Mariota was eventually benched for rookie QB Desmond Ridder, and he soon left the team once his wife gave birth to their first child.

You can watch the full trailer for the documentary here:

It will be interesting to see the behind-the-scenes footage for this year in Mariota’s life, and you can guarantee that every Oregon fan will be tuned in.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Twitter Reactions: Sporting world reacts to Oregon legend Neil Everett leaving ESPN

“Bartender…Jack!” Oregon Duck legend Neil Everett will be leaving ESPN after 23 years. His departure left the sporting world traveling down memory lane.

If you think about the most famous and prominent figures in today’s sporting world, it’s hard not to have Neil Everett on the list.

Because of Everett, it was not uncommon to hear a “Quack quack!” on ESPN’s Sportscenter in primetime on the west coast. As a notable alumnus of the University of Oregon and a beloved member of the journalism community, it was easy to look up to Everett and admire his lighthearted and joyous attitude as he did the work that so many kids dream of doing when they grow up.

It was announced on Thursday that Everett is no longer going to be employed at the Worldwide Leader of Sports, instead having his contract expire during Disney’s on-air talent cuts. In other words, ESPN is letting him become a free agent after 23 years at the company.

As one of the most popular Sportscenter hosts that ESPN has ever had, the news the Everett was leaving the company made some waves across the sporting world. Some of the most prominent figures in the industry took to social media to express their sorrow and gratitude. Here are some of the most notable reactions.

LOOK: ‘The Jake’ golf facility is making quick progress

The Oregon Ducks golf practice facility is quickly going up out at Emerald Valley Golf Course.

One of the newest state-of-the-art athletic facilities is currently being built for the Oregon Ducks men’s and women’s golf teams out at Emerald Valley Golf Course in Creswell, and it appears to be coming along nicely.

‘The Jake’ is a multi-million dollar practice facility that is going up just south of Eugene, named after Peter and Jan Jacobsen, a pair of historic figures in the world of Oregon golf. It is a 6,000-square-foot facility with three indoor driving bays, an indoor putting studio, and a heated outdoor driving range.

The facility broke ground earlier this spring and is expected to be completed at some point this fall, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony expected ahead of one of the Ducks’ home games during the 2023 season. This past week, Emerald Valley GC gave an update on how things are coming along a few months into the process, and it looks like a lot of progress is being made.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Ducks Legend LaMichael James is among the 2023 Oregon athletics Hall of Fame inductees

Ducks Legend LaMichael James is among the 2023 Oregon athletics Hall of Fame inductees

On Tuesday afternoon The University of Oregon athletic department announced its 2023 Hall of Fame class, and it includes former Oregon RB LaMichael James. James played 3 seasons for the Ducks racking up 5668 all-purpose yards and 56 TDs. James was a member of the 2010 Oregon team which advanced to the national championship game against Auburn.

James was a large part of the Ducks’ success that season, rushing for 1731 yards and scoring 24 total TDs. His efforts in 2010 put him in the running for numerous awards including the Heisman Trophy, which he placed third in voting for, and the Doak Walker Award (Nation’s best RB) which he won.

James was equally dominant in 2011, even though Oregon was unable to make it back to the national championship. That season, James rushed for 1805 yards and scored 19 TDs. After the 2011 season, James declared for the NFL draft where he was taken in the second round by the San Francisco 49ers.

James wasn’t just a football star with the Ducks. In 2010 and 2011, James competed in the 100-meter dash and the 4×100 relay for the Oregon Track and Field team. In 2010, James placed fifth at the Pac-10 championships and first at the Oregon Twilight meet in the 100-meter.

While he didn’t have the same success in the NFL that he did as a Duck, James has been quite successful off the field since his days at Oregon. Currently, James owns three Killer Burger restaurants —one of which is in Eugene — and could open more.

Second only to Royce Freeman in career rushing yards, and the holder of three of the top six rushing seasons, James is a Ducks legend, and arguably one of the greatest Ducks ever. He was a member of the greatest Ducks’ team ever, and his induction to the Oregon Hall of Fame is well-earned.

Where Marcus Mariota ranks among best NCAA QBs since 2000

Marcus Mariota is the greatest QB in Oregon history. Where does he rank among the best QBs in college football?

Since the turn of the century, the game of college football has seemingly exploded onto the scene. That isn’t to say that it hasn’t always been entertaining and hand a legitimate place in the sporting world, but over the past 20 years or so, it has come to the forefront of the landscape and is covered as closely as any other sport in the nation. With the introduction of the college football playoff, the transfer portal, and NIL, that statement is more true now than ever.

What’s great for Oregon fans is the fact that the Ducks have been at the center of that universe since the turn of the century as well. With a new era ushered in by Joey Harrington and Mike Bellotti in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Ducks have been rapidly accelerating and quickly becoming one of the most popular teams in the nation.

While Harrington laid the groundwork, it’s hard to argue against the fact that Marcus Mariota truly took things to the next level.

With his dominant run from 2012-2014 culminating in a Heisman Trophy and a near national championship, it’s not hard to see the impact that Mariota had on the game. He was the first Hawaiian-born player to ever win a Heisman, and he will go down in NCAA history as one of the most dominant and versatile quarterbacks we’ve ever seen.

Since the turn of the century, though, where does he rank among the best of the best QBs to play college football? ESPN recently ranked the top 25 passers over the last 20-plus years. Here’s where Mariota ended up:

Long list of Oregon legends to be in attendance at Ducks’ spring game

Oregon Ducks from the past and present will be in Autzen Stadium for the annual Spring Game on Saturday.

The Spring Game is about more than just the football occurring in between the sidelines. It’s a celebration as a whole for the program and a chance for some familiar faces to show themselves once again inside Autzen.

There will be some notable alumni coming back to campus to check out what the current version of Oregon football looks like. Alumni such as quarterback Dennis Dixon, and receiver De’Anthony Thomas will be joined by other former Ducks.

Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and defensive back Jevon Holland will also be in the house as guest coaches.

“Anytime you have guys that were just tremendous Ducks that care so much about our program and make an effort to give back, it’s always great to recreate that,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said. “That’s special for our players, but it’s just special for our fans. They’re loved and adored by every Duck out there. (We) love having them back for us.”

Here’s the updated list of Oregon legends expected in attendance for Saturday’s festivities.

Oregon faithful share memories after passing of NFL Hall of Famer and Duck legend

The football world at large mourned the loss of an Oregon Ducks and San Francisco 49ers legend.

Oregon Ducks’ legend Dave Wilcox passed away at the age of 80, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

An 11-year career with the San Francisco 49ers put Wilcox in NFL lore, cementing his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of the best linebackers in 49ers history.

For the Ducks, Wilcox was a two-way player in the 1960s, working as a blocker for fellow Oregon greats like Bob Berry and Mel Renfro, while also drawing the attention of NFL scouts on the defensive side of the ball. Though he only played for two seasons with the Ducks, Wilcox made his mark, and was eventually enshrined in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Once the news of his passing went public on Wednesday, fans from Eugene and across the nation in the football world mourned the loss, sharing memories of Wilcox on Twitter and lifting up his name.

Here are some of the best stories and words from football fans across the nation.

Marcus Mariota signs one-year contract with Philadelphia Eagles

Marcus Mariota is landing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal.

A year after playing for the Atlanta Falcons and working to get his career back on track, Marcus Mariota has signed a new one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles where he is expected to become the backup quarterback to Jalen Hurts.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mariota’s deal is for one year worth $5 million, with potential bonuses up to $8 million. While he is expected to be the QB2 behind Hurts, there is a good chance that he could see some playing time with the amount that Hurts runs the ball, and the injury risk that he carries after missing a couple of games in the 2022 season.

Mariota played 13 games for the Falcons in 2022, throwing for 2,219 yards, 15 TD, and 9 INT. He was replaced by rookie Desmond Ridder at the end of the season and ultimately let go.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

LOOK: Payton Pritchard surprises Oregon signee Jackson Shelstad ahead of 6A state championship

LOOK: Payton Pritchard surprises Oregon signee Jackson Shelstad ahead of 6A state championship

Waking up on the day that you’re getting set to play in the 6A State Championship is already special enough. When you have one of your idols give you a wake up call, though, that makes it quite memorable.

That’s what happened for Oregon Ducks 2023 signee Jackson Shelstad, the star player for West Linn. According to reports, Shelstad was greeted by Oregon legend Payton Pritchard, who won 4 state championships during his time at West Linn, and had an incredible career with the Ducks as well. Pritchard is now a prized role player for the Boston Celtics.

Shelstad has been often compared to Pritchard, playing at the same high school and utilizing a similar set of skills while possessing a comparable work ethic. Shelstad will come to Eugene this summer with hopes of being able to replicate Pritchard’s career with the Ducks.

Shelstad and his team were, unfortunately, unable to take care of business on Saturday night in the championship game, getting upset by Tualatin, 60-47. It was still a memorable season for the future Oregon PG, made more special by having his future coach and Oregon idol in attendance. Here are some pictures, videos, and reactions from the night:

The Greatest Oregon Duck of All Time Bracket: Crowning the Ultimate Champion

We’re down to a final 4, and we are ready to crown the greatest Oregon Duck of all time. And the winner is….

It’s been a long road to get here, but we’ve done it. Over the past few days, we’ve made great progress when it comes to naming the greatest Oregon Duck of all time.

It started with a bracket of 32 of the most legendary figures in Oregon sports. One by one, we went through on the Sco-ing Long Podcast and eliminated on, as hard as that was until we got down to the Elite 8. It’s been a fun process, and I’ve greatly enjoyed the participation from those on Twitter who have voted each and every day as we see who the public thinks is the GOAT Duck.

The public bracket is down to a championship matchup. In order to catch up, I wanted to show how we advanced the bracket on the Sco-ing Long Podcast with JD Pluid and Shane Potter.

Here is what our bracket looks like after the Elite 8 (Note: Our bracket is different than the outcome of the voting on Twitter).

If you want to listen to the full podcast where we break down every matchup, you can do so here.

And now onto the Final 4, and the GOAT Duck Championship. Here’s who we advanced through to the championship matchup, and ultimately who we crowned the Greatest Duck of All Time.