The Oregon Ducks announce new uniforms that honor legendary alumni which will be worn in the Civil War this Saturday

What the uniform means

The “Shoe Duck” set is deep on symbolism. Oregon wore sleek black jerseys and pants, pairing them with a matte marble-style helmet. Gold wing accents, gold cleats, and carefully placed patches tie back to Knight’s journey. One patch references the legendary handshake between Knight and his track coach-turned-partner Bill Bowerman, who helped found Nike. Another nod to the famous Blue Ribbon Sports origin, and there’s even a tribute to Mount Hood and Mount Fuji, representing Knight’s inspiration from Japan and the global nature of the shoe business. The inner back collar bears the phrase “There is no finish line”, a mantra Knight has long used at Nike.

Oregon teased the uniform with a video of Dan Lanning reading an excerpt from Shoe Dog, Knight’s memoir. The segment recalls the moment Knight and Bowerman struck their deal at Jaqua Ranch - the informal handshake that would eventually launch Nike.

Why this tribute matters

Honoring Phil Knight isn’t just about nostalgia. His presence looms large over Oregon’s football program and its visual identity. Knight, who ran track at Oregon under Bowerman, graduated in 1959 and returned to build Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 - a company that would later become Nike.

Nike’s relationship with Oregon has long been one of innovation—not just in footwear but also in uniforms. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Knight pushed the Ducks' rebranding hard, helping shift the program from a regional contender into a national powerhouse, partly by making Oregon a leader in uniform design.

Oregon’s history of special-edition uniforms is well known - pink for breast cancer awareness, military tributes, blackout sets, and more - but the “Shoe Duck” gear is unique. It’s not just a cause or a one-off design; it’s a personal tribute, a visual thank-you, and a nod to the moment that set it all in motion.

Looking to the field

When Oregon takes the field against Oregon State this weekend, the uniform will be more than eye candy - it’ll tell a story: one about a handshake, a shoe company, and a man who changed everything. And in a program built on innovation, it might just be Oregon’s most meaningful uniform reveal yet.