The journey continues. The path has been cleared for us.
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 19, 2020
This is Ohana. @sigzanedesigns | #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/GaC0OREDHd
On Thursday, the Oregon Ducks football program unveiled a new alternate uniform that celebrates pan-Polynesian culture. With former players like Marcus Mariota and Haloti Ngata and current player Penei Sewell, Oregon has a strong pipeline of recruiting Polynesian players.
Design through a collaboration between Nike and Hawaiin label Sig Zane Designs, the new uniform dubbed the “Ohana” uniform was designed to honor elements of Polynesian culture including family, unity and a voyager spirit. Ohana means “Family” in Hawaiian.
Black is used as the base color for the uniform as a nod to the volcanic rock that formed the Pacific islands, while “Action Green” is used to represent the vegetation that grows around the volcanic rock.
The wings on the helmet, the Oregon logo and the jersey numbers feature a woven pattern meant to symbolize “experience”. A different pattern is seen on the front of the jersey designed to resemble feather cloaks worn by Hawaiian nobility for ceremonies or battle. To invoke a green lei, the pattern on the front is green closest to the neckline. Lastly, a galaxy of stars including the Southern Cross, a constellation used to aid oceanic navigation in the Southern Hemisphere, are seen on the helmets and gloves.
Oregon will wear the new look on Saturday when they host UCLA.
