The Oregon Ducks have unveiled their fourth new “Generation O” uniform for the 2024 season, a rare Sunday uniform release following Friday’s leak. Though the timing of the release may be coincidental, this new yellow and black combination is the “Heroes” uniform, showing support for those who have battled or are battling cancer and raising awareness on the subject.
While it may appear on the surface to be a retro-inspired uniform (and indeed, it is), the uni is replete with many subtle (and a couple not so subtle) touches that were inspired by Head Coach Dan Lanning, his wife, and their three sons. Lanning’s wife, Sauphia, is a bone cancer survivor who completed treatment in 2017. Her battle and treatment for cancer — from which she is now thankfully cancer-free — contain elements designed by Sauphia and her sons.
Normally, when I post a hype video, I’m not necessarily expecting readers to watch it, but this one is different. Before we get into the new uniforms, please take a few minutes to watch this; not only is it heartwarming in its content, but it also explains all the personal touches from the Lannings.
The meaning behind the design. #StompOutCancer
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) September 29, 2024
Nice.
Let’s look at the uniform now.
HELMET
The helmet is matte black, with silver wings on either side. The nose bumper features Oregon’s trademark “O” logo incorporated with a yellow ribbon, which was based the concept sketched by Sauphia Lanning. The bumper also multi-colored stripes, each representing a different form of cancer.
The same pattern with the words “STOMP OUT CANCER” is featured on the neck bumper.
The rear of the helmet also features the “O” with yellow ribbon (the two duck images with “4” and “5” are the team’s memorial for the late Khyree Jackson and Spencer Webb).
JERSEY
The jersey is yellow, and features several “harkback” elements from previous Ducks’ uniforms. The feather design is black with some gray/anthracite, while there is also some silver/gray diamondplate pattern below the wings. The base color is yellow, in acknowledgment of Sauphia’s battle with osteosarcoma, but the helmet, cleats, gloves and sleeve patches all feature a multi-color panel acknowledging victims of all cancers. Numbers are black in Oregon’s bespoke font.
On the right sleeve is a “FLIGHT +FIGHT” logo patch, which has Sauphia’s “O”/ribbon concept. This was done at the urging of the Lannings’ middle son, Kniles. The patch also features silver wings on either side of the “O” logo.
According to the team, “Sauphia’s original sketch of the “O” with a ribbon included the phrase “Take Flight + Fight.” She purposely utilized a plus sign, rather than the word “and” or an ampersand, because it mimics the sign of the cross that is an international symbol for health care providers. One sleeve of the uniform has a “Flight + Fight” patch, while the other has one reading “Stomp Out Cancer” under the image of a bell, which cancer victims ceremonially ring to mark the end of their treatment.”
On the opposite sleeve is a similar logo, featuring a yellow bell with the words “STOMP OUT CANCER” beneath.
The “FLIGHT +FIGHT” logo is also on the gloves.
In his concept uniform, the Lanning’s oldest son, Caden, suggested the use of an ice cream cone. This can be seen, along with the formula for one of the chemotherapy drugs Sauphia took during treatment, on the compression sleeves available to the players.
The inside of the collar has the word “HEROES” sewn into the collar.
“This is her love letter to her heroes, and that’s why we wanted to call it ‘Heroes,'” said Quinn Van Horne, senior designer for Van Horne Brands, which brought the Lannings’ concepts for the uniform to life. “This is her thanking the people who truly helped save her life.”
PANTS & SHOES
The uniform pants are yellow and stripeless. The final Lanning touch comes on the cleats, which feature a multi-color panel on the tip, suggested by the Lanning’s youngest son Titan.
“I’m really glad the boys and Dan got to be a part of it all,” Sauphia said. “They were definitely my driving force in getting better and healing. I’m just so glad they were able to put their touch on it.”
The Ducks have announced they will debut this uniform this Friday night, when they take on the Michigan State Spartans.
If you’re curious, the other three Generation O uniforms released by the Ducks earlier are the all-black uniform, the all-green uni, and the gold/white/gold combo.
They still do the stupid glove logo thing?
I didn’t think I’d like this new feather yoke treatment… but I do. What I’m not crazy about it the diamond plate stripes at the bottom of the yoke. I don’t hate it visually. It’s more the principle of the thing. It’s outdated, it’s a pretty dumb idea in the first place, and it’s entirely unrelated to the ducks. If the shapes in the pattern were flying duck silhouettes instead, I’d be much cooler with it.
Agreed it has nothing to do with the ducks, but I think at this point its more just acknowledgment of their uniform history. Love’em or hate’em, those diamond plate uniforms marked a distinct moment in their history. The whole goal of these “Generation O” uniforms is to pay homage to that history. In that regard, I personally really like the execution.
I’m not hating on the special cause these uniforms represent, but how do they not get lost in Oregons seemingly unending parade of uniforms special or not?
This.
The black helmet seems to be the same as the one from the all black Fly Era uniform set just with different decals in the back.
Can’t wait to see these at the Tour de France.
It’s a nice story but I have really loved Oregon wearing more classic designs. This is everything I have disliked about most of Oregon’s designs (use of black over green, highlighter yellow, diamond plate, matte helmets).
I would have expected not to like these, but they look pretty good. The rainbow swatch stands out nicely, and does a lot of work for what otherwise might have been a fairly boring uniform. For me, these have the feel of one of the better-executed military themes. I guess that comes from the slogan and the symbols.
Good cause. Ugly uniform
Love ’em.
Scrolled down for the hate. Didn’t disappoint.
At least they’re not pink