Reppin the Retros
For Daily Emerald
The University of Oregon football team continues to set records and start trends, making the football field its runway. On Oct. 1, the GoDucks media team released a teaser for the “Mighty Oregon” football uniforms. The uniform drop announcement left room for lots of ambiguity, as it said the jerseys will be available for purchase soon without exactly specifying when, or even if the team was planning on wearing them this season.
In the post, the Ducks’ star running back Bucky Irving modeled the fashion-forward throwback threads. Irving showed off the classic uniform combo, which featured a green interlocked UO logo on a retro yellow helmet. This new version has a yellow cage and a green and white stripe along the helmet’s centerline. The helmet is paired with a green jersey and the timeless variation of the Duck that resembles the beloved Disney character, Donald Duck, on the cap of the shoulder sleeves. To complete the look, Irving was styled with yellow and green gloves, solid yellow Nike pants and black cleats. The traditional iteration of the UO logo and Duck are flashy and fly despite being slightly dated.
The “Mighty Oregon'' uniforms were last worn in 2014 at Autzen against the Washington Huskies and they pay homage to the Ducks 1984 design. In lieu of the unveiling, many Duck fanatics suspected the Ducks would wear the clean, re-envisioned replicas against the rival Huskies during last Saturday’s Week 6 matchup. However, that was not the case. Oregon broke out the fan-favorite eggshell outfit instead, an equipment decision that seemed fitting, as it’s more likely fans can expect the Ducks to save the special swagger for their home turf.
Duck fans were clearly thrilled to see these uniforms come out of the archives. As soon as Oregon unveiled the throwback uniforms, social media users immediately reacted in the comment section, voicing their excitement and impatient anticipation. For example, on Instagram, @stephenwoodworth74 said, “these need to be in the rotation every year,” and @peter.brantley said, “best Oregon uniform, says the old guy.” It is clear that supporters, both young and old, are looking forward to the uniform’s anticipated comeback.
Unlike many other universities, Oregon likes to challenge tradition and change up their uniforms each game. So far this season, the Ducks have played their six games in six distinctly different styles. In Week 2, the Ducks debuted a new uniform that included green accents to an all-white wardrobe during their nail-biting win over Texas Tech. In Week 4, the Ducks defeated Colorado 42-6 while wearing green jerseys, black pants and black helmets. The team stayed cool, collected and unstoppable in their cutting-edge Nike Vapor Edge KF Dunks cleats that change color with temperature.
These are just some of the combos from Oregon’s 2023-2024 campaign that have created commotion. However, no design has caught the attention of fans like the throwback threads so far this season.
The Oregon team account often drops the athletes’ upcoming uniforms three days before the scheduled game, which means fans will know by Wednesday, Oct. 18, if the combo will be worn against Washington State University this Saturday. In what appears to be a perfect time and place — an at home game for UO’s parents’ weekend — it is still not confirmed. With the exact date for the debut and retail release unknown, fans are awaiting an updated announcement.
The uniforms are an ode to the Oregon legacy and inspiration for future success on the field. Duck fans and football players, including Camden Lewis, will kick it old school in “Mighty Oregon” fashion sometime in the near future.