Oregon to debut Phil Knight 'Shoe Duck' tribute uniforms

Jeff Hauser

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Oregon to debut Phil Knight 'Shoe Duck' tribute uniforms image

University of Oregon

The Oregon Ducks have built a reputation as college football’s leaders in uniform innovation. The latest release continues that tradition with a tribute to Nike co-founder Phil Knight. The “Shoe Duck” uniforms, which were unveiled for Saturday’s Civil War rivalry game against Oregon State, combine design details that honor both Knight and former Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman

A tribute to Nike’s origins in the Pacific Northwest

The name “Shoe Duck” draws inspiration from Knight’s memoir Shoe Dog, which chronicles Nike’s beginnings. The uniform features an anthracite base with white marble detailing and gold accents, highlighted by bright gold cleats conceived by former Oregon defensive back and current Nike product manager Mattrell McGraw.

An outstanding gold detail runs throughout the design, a nod to the “gold standard” Knight and Nike have long sought to represent. Even the gloves carry a piece of history with a waffle-print design, referencing Bowerman’s early innovation of pouring rubber into a waffle iron to create Nike’s first prototype soles.

The helmet design breaks new ground

The most distinctive part of the “Shoe Duck” look is the matte marble helmet, the first of its kind in college football. The helmet is also asymmetrical, with Oregon’s traditional Duck wings on one side and the wing of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, on the other. It's a design that mirrors Knight’s private jet, which bears the same motif. On the back of the helmet, a gold Oregon “O” sits above a gold bar, symbolizing Bowerman’s service in World War II. The goddess wing itself is modeled after the famed “Winged Victory of Samothrace” statue in the Louvre, adding depth to the storytelling behind the design.

Symbolism across the uniform

Each piece of the uniform includes references to Nike’s history and Knight’s ties to Oregon. The left shoulder patch displays a handshake between Knight and Bowerman, representing their founding of Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike’s original name. Behind it sits the company’s first logo. The opposite shoulder carries Oregon’s Latin motto, Mens Agitat Molem (“Mind Moves Mountains”), framed by depictions of Mt. Hood and Mt. Fuji.

The two peaks represent Oregon’s roots and Knight’s early experiences in Japan, where Nike first manufactured shoes. Duck wings and tiger stripes incorporated into the patch symbolize the blending of East and West.

Born on a handshake.@Nike x #ShoeDuck pic.twitter.com/vWkGkTP8Ob

Comparison to past designs

Oregon has experimented with bold uniform concepts before, but the “Shoe Duck” breaks new ground with its asymmetrical helmet decals and marble textures. While other programs have tried to incorporate marble into its design, Nike broke the mold on this one. They are the first program to feature white marble and integrate it into lettering and design elements across the uniform.

Knight’s response and legacy

The project was developed over two years by Van Horne Brands, with input from Oregon players and staff. Earlier this year, senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher presented the uniform to Knight during an event at Hayward Field. According to Boettcher, the tribute brought Knight to tears. “It’s a thank you from the entire city of Eugene and the state of Oregon,” Boettcher said. “We wouldn’t be the University of Oregon without his help.”

Knight has often avoided public recognition by naming campus buildings after others, but has remained central to Oregon athletics through decades of support. The “Shoe Duck” uniforms represent a rare public acknowledgment of his impact on both the university and the broader sports landscape.

No. 6 Oregon faces Oregon State at Autzen Stadium on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, BTN).

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.