When Oregon takes the field on Oct. 10, it will wear a uniform two years in the making. And even for the Ducks, it's bold.
Oregon unveiled its "Origin of Speed" threads Tuesday, inspired by Hayward Field, where the program played football from 1919 to 1966. The design is meant to blend eras and sports -- the school's track team competes at Hayward Field -- to honor the past and showcase "the speed that always has been an edge for Ducks athletes."
The base color of "Night Forest" is Nike's darkest green, while "Green Strike," a debut shade, combines with the volt color to create a look that pops. The design includes new elements with nods to the past.
The uniform is the final installment of Oregon's three-year Generation O series. The Ducks will wear it against UCLA at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 10.
According to Nike, the creation of this uniform started two years ago and was described as a collaborative process between Nike, Oregon football equipment administrator Kenny Farr and a board of selected Ducks athletes.
"Oregon's tradition is to be untraditional, so we have to push and always be innovative," said Nike graphic designer Jason Cochran in a statement. "... That's the only way to pay respect to the past, is to look to the future."
Players suggested design tweaks, including the kinetic wing that runs on the side panel of the uniform's pants plus the helmet and shoulders. The wing represents energy and is at 26.2 degrees, referencing the number of miles in a marathon.
Jersey numbers are wider at the top and leaner on the bottom, meant to mimic a superhero pose. They also include a waffle print, one of the more iconic soles in Nike's collection and in running shoes. Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman invented the waffle sole in his kitchen in 1971.
There are other subtle throwback elements, too, as a way to bridge the gap between the past and the future.
"Generation O very much had a throwback element to it," Farr said. "Now, we're trying to go the other way."
The leg side panels boast a word mark leaning forward instead of backward. Called the "Oregon Angle of Attack," it symbolizes a first-place finish and is inspired by former Oregon wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas' kick return touchdown in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl. When Thomas crossed the goal line to score, he mimicked breaking the finish line in a race.
An Oregon "O" is on the jersey's shoulder and is inspired by Hayward Field and Autzen Stadium's architecture. The outline of Autzen is the "O." The six original Hayward running lanes are featured at the center with Lanes 4 and 5 highlighted in a different color -- paying homage to late Oregon football players Spencer Webb and Khyree Jackson, who wore those numbers.
All those elements put together lead to a uniform that Ducks defense back Aaron Flowers said "inspired me a lot."
"It stands out and it's flashy," Flowers said. "That's what really caught my attention growing up, back in the 2000s watching Oregon. So it just felt like we had to bring that back again."