Oregon Honors Phil Knight with “Shoe Duck” Tribute Uniform
Oregon Football will take the field against Oregon State in a look unlike any other, one that honors the legacy of Phil Knight, Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman, and the deep ties between the Ducks and the brand that reshaped sports forever.
The special edition “Shoe Duck” uniforms are more than just a new kit. They’re a tribute to Knight’s impact on the University of Oregon, the state, and the global sports stage. Designed by Van Horne Brands with input from Oregon players and staff, the project took two years to complete and even brought Knight to tears when it was first revealed to him earlier this year.
The look starts with a matte marble helmet, an asymmetrical design symbolizing Knight’s two worlds: Oregon athletics and Nike. One side features the Ducks’ iconic wing, while the other carries the wing of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. On the back, a golden Oregon “O” sits above a gold bar honoring Bowerman’s Army service in World War II.
The anthracite jerseys and pants are accented with gold highlights and paired with striking bright gold cleats, a nod to Knight’s memoir Shoe Dog. The gloves feature a waffle pattern, calling back to Bowerman’s original waffle iron innovation that helped launch Nike footwear.
Every inch of the uniform carries meaning. Shoulder patches tell the story of Oregon’s rise:
One patch depicts a handshake between Knight and Bowerman, representing the trust that began their journey from coach and athlete to business partners.
The other features Oregon’s motto, Mens Agitat Molem (“minds move mountains”), along with Mount Hood and Mount Fuji, symbolizing the merging of East and West in Knight’s vision for the brand. Duck wings and tiger stripes bring the story full circle, reflecting Oregon’s global reach.
For players, this uniform is about more than aesthetics. Senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher said it best: “We wouldn’t be the University of Oregon — the Mecca — without his help. This is our way of giving him his flowers.”
Knight has always been quick to deflect attention, naming campus buildings after others instead of himself. But on Saturday, the gratitude of Oregon, Eugene, and fans across the country will shine through in the form of these uniforms.
As Quinn Van Horne, the project’s lead designer, put it: “It really does represent so much of the Nike and Oregon DNA intertwined together. We want to be the best of the best.”
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