You may recall way back at the very end of July, the Oregon Ducks teased a “Grateful Dead” theme for their upcoming game against Wisconsin. Back then, I said of this game…
Obviously, I’m hopeful the Ducks are planning some kind of uniform machinations for this game — whether it’s a tie-dye jersey (or uniform) or possibly some kind of tie-dye helmet, even tie-dye accents.
As you’re about to see…I got my wish.
July’s announcement noted this week’s game would celebrate the relationship between Eugene and the Grateful Dead, the iconic jam band that played Autzen Stadium a total of 10 times between 1974 and 1994. And yesterday, the football team released the special uniforms it will wear to mark the occasion.
Let’s take a look:
The uniform features numerals in a green and yellow tie-dye, on a black jersey. The helmet is black with silver wings, and the back will have a special look.
The green and yellow tie-dye also is incorporated in the “O” logo on the back of the Ducks’ black helmets, as well as the memorial and B1G decals. The rear bumper is black and features “dancing ducks,” which of course is an ode to the Grateful Dead’s Dancing Bears.
The rear of the jersey will feature a bright green block NOB, as well as numbers with a green and yellow tie-dye.
The Ducks have also taken some liberties with the Dead’s Stealie logo, creating a green and yellow sendup featuring a duck skull, which you can see on the banner behind the player here:
The Ducks will wear this as a patch on both sleeve caps.
And here’s a closer look:
As many or most of you know, I have a love/hate relationship with the Ducks uniforms, and I’m a Deadhead, so the serendipity I felt once they finally unveiled these uniforms knew no bounds. Tie-dye is obviously VERY difficult to use as a uniform element, but I think the Ducks have succeeded here — you may not like the numeral font, but you’ll have no trouble reading the digits.
I don’t like the fact that Oregon often wears both wings AND their “O” logo on their helmets — but it is kinda cool to see the “O” in tie-dye. The helmet would look a lot better if they removed the wings and put the tie-dye “O” on both sides. And I’m far more of a fan of the Dancing Ducks on the neck bumper than I am of the redesigned Steal Your Face. The fact that they worked a friggin swoosh into the lightning bolt really bothers the shit out of me. You already did a whole uniform dedicated to Phil Knight, Oregonike — keep your swoosh off my Stealie!
(Seriously, I don’t like that one bit).
But overall? I couldn’t be happier. It’s not everyday two seemingly divergent interests (Ducks & Dead) come together as one. I realize, however, many of you may feel differently. What do you think of the new Ducks duds?
