Oregon Football Heroes uniform: Closer look at Ducks' all-yellow jerseys for Week 6 showdown
The No. 6 Oregon Ducks will suit up in style for their Week 6 showdown on Friday against the Michigan State Spartans. They unveiled a special all-yellow uniform called the "Heroes," designed by Ducks coach Dan Lanning and his family.
These bright yellow jerseys aren't just eye-catching. They carry a deeper meaning. The "Heroes" uniform will be honoring those who have fought cancer. It is a cause close to Lanning’s heart, as his wife, Sauphia Lanning, overcame bone cancer in 2017.
The jerseys feature a yellow ribbon, hand-sketched by Sauphia, symbolizing her fight with osteosarcoma. Some additional unique elements include an ice cream cone, which represents the sweet moments the Lanning family shared after Sauphia’s treatments and the molecular structure of her chemotherapy, called the "red devil."
The Ducks' "Generation O" initiative has released three fresh uniform sets, making this the fourth.
Sauphia Lanning talked about the innovation behind the new Oregon jersey
Sauphia Lanning spoke about the inspiration behind the Ducks’ “Heroes” uniform, set to debut at Autzen Stadium on Friday.
Lanning said that she sketched the initial design on a plane, where she says the idea just came to her.
"One really cool thing that I'm so glad was kept was the medical symbol that's put on for the doctors and the nurses, the true heroes."
Oregon’s Football Equipment Administrator, Kenny Farr, praised their innovative jerseys with a message.
“I always get excited about those games and those uniforms because it's a bigger cause than just football. And with it being so close to the first lady of Oregon football, this one's extra special.”
Farr has a track record of innovative designs for the Ducks. The “Heroes” uniform initiative is rooted in personal triumph and is one of his favorites.
"We kind of tasked her and our boys to design a new uniform. We've done a few of these, but this is one of my favorite ones we've ever done just because I know the story and I know the use."
Ducks players, including Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson, were also part of the Uniform Committee that helped bring Sauphia Lanning’s vision to life.