For those of us who are Greybeards, we remember vividly the epithets and humor directed at Oregon when we began to change our uniforms. Now, truth be told, I am an old fuddy-duddy who would still have them wearing the same uniform from 1983 (I LOVED that stripe on the helmet and the thin stripe on the leg!). Yet I love my team and will support them no matter what they wear … even if they wear the hideous yellow uniforms of 2003 (above). Like so many fans, I adjusted and have come to love the changes, to the point where I now can’t wait to see this week’s combo.
The most beautiful away uniform ever at Oregon. (IMHO)
If the first uniform change was before your time as an Oregon fan, you cannot believe the national screaming about Oregon that took place. EVERY national publication debated the change away from the traditional uniforms by Oregon and how ugly the new ones were. The Ducks would win polls of the ugliest as well as the coolest uniforms so often that it has just became a part of our national brand.
It has been 15 years from the first major change (1999) to today, but it truly has taken that long for the acceptance and then the convergence of the major college programs around the nation to copy the Oregon example. I simply cannot convey the outcry around the nation and the ridicule that opposing teams’ fans tried to project onto us for so long. It went from universally terrible reviews to where now EVERY team seems to be following the Oregon blueprint, as they have with the “No-Huddle” offense.
Of all the uniform changes that Oregon has added, it seemed that adding black uniforms is what has incensed the college football world the most. “It’s not one of your colors!” they’ll say. Or as Oregon State fans tried to laughingly explain, “you’re copying our color.”
Below is a GIF created by University of Oregon student Peng Xu for FishDuck.com depicting the change of attitude toward the black uniform by even a few of the more traditional schools, including an SEC team! Enjoy.
Great GIF by Peng Xu!
The incredible top photo of Igor Olshansky eating up Derek Anderson is by John Giustina
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Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…