Oregon QB Turns NIL Into Detroit Dreams

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 11:37 AM ET

Oregon Star QB Dante Moore Uses NIL to Empower Detroit Youth

In a world where NIL deals often mean flashy cars and luxury brands, Oregon’s Dante Moore is taking a different route, one paved with purpose, passion and a powerful message for the kids who grew up just like him.

Instead of spending his NIL earnings on himself, Moore, the Ducks’ rising star quarterback, is investing in the future of his hometown. The Detroit native recently donated $10,000 to his alma mater, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, according to Joel Sebastianelli of Local 4 News. Moore is showing that success doesn’t have to mean forgetting where you came from.

But Moore didn’t stop at a check.

He returned home not just as a college football star, but as an author. At the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL), Moore read his children’s book From Journey to Dream to a group of kids, each of whom went home with their own signed copy. The book chronicles his personal story, weaving in themes of determination, perseverance, and the power of belief.

“I feel like doing a book, especially with pictures, simple words for kids to understand and read and just to keep it probably next to their bed on a nightstand,” Moore said in an interview with Sebastianelli. “I thought this book would be good for kids… and I’m glad I did it.”

Dante Moore is a star at Oregon, but he's true to his Detroit roots

The Ducks QB and Heisman hopeful utilized NIL to give $10,000 to his high school @DetKingFootball and spent a day reading his book to @DetroitPAL kids

Moore shared his purpose for giving back with @Local4News pic.twitter.com/CvRtrLaRx4
— Joel Sebastianelli (@JJSebastianelli) June 17, 2025

Moore’s return to Detroit wasn’t a media stunt. It was a mission to make sure kids who look like him and come from the same blocks can see themselves in his story.

“Being here is a true blessing to give back to the community,” Moore said. “Every opportunity I get to come home, I try to seize the opportunity.”

That message hit home as he signed every copy of his book, and left them with one final message:

“If you have a dream, chase it. Many people think the sky’s the limit, but I say reach for the stars.”

With Oregon poised to make a serious College Football Playoff run in 2025, Moore is on track to be a household name. But it’s what he’s doing off the field, by using his NIL earnings to fuel hope in underserved communities that could be his greatest legacy.

In a landscape where NIL is often about personal brand building, Moore is flipping the script: investing in futures, inspiring readers, and proving that sometimes the biggest plays happen far from the end zone.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: