The Oregon Ducks have made a name for themselves over the years, partially for their dominance on the field and entertaining style of play, but also in part because of their unending uniform combinations, and innovative technology when it comes to fashion.
This week, however, the Ducks are breaking out something new. The jersey combination, yes, but also the depth of the meaning behind it.
Oregon unveiled its new ‘Heroes’ uniform last Sunday, part of the Generation O line with a “Stomp Out Cancer” message. This isn’t the first time that Oregon has brought awareness to the valiant battle against cancer that many are fighting in our world, but it certainly is the most detailed.
It was also designed by none other than Sauphia Lanning, Dan Lanning’s wife, and her three kids.
Sauphia was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare, aggressive form of bone cancer back in 2016. She is now seven years cancer-free and wanted to honor the doctors and nurses who helped get her and the Lanning family through this time.
The Heroes Uniform. #StompOutCancer pic.twitter.com/MzYbXD0Bvv
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) September 29, 2024
The jerseys are coming out now, but in reality, this process of designing them started not long after Lanning and his family touched down in Eugene back in 2022.
“Really it kind of sparked as soon as we got here,” Lanning said. “It was really cool that Nike reached out about maybe being able to create something. I know it was really important to my wife, and that it was something that really honored all forms of cancer and the people that are surrounded by it.”
In our world today, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been impacted by cancer in some form or fashion. Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa noted that after his little sister beat cancer when she was young, these uniforms hold a special meaning to him as well.
“It means a lot to me as well, and I know it means a lot to a lot of people,” Bassa said. “We felt like as a group that this was going to be the perfect game to bring those out. They’re going to look good under the lights.”
The flash will certainly be there for the Ducks as the national audience looks on Friday night against the Michigan State Spartans. But that’s nothing new. Oregon always has flash when they take the field, wearing new uniform combinations each and every week and never growing stale.
The difference this week is the substance.
“You always hear about the Ducks and flashy uniforms, but I think this is a little more than flashy,” linebacker Bryce Boettcher said. “It has a bigger meaning behind it, which I think is really cool. The story behind Coach Lanning’s wife, and their kids being able to help design that is really special.”
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