Oregon Ducks football has always been synonymous with groundbreaking uniform designs, and today is no different. Coach Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are set to debut their latest football uniforms, and these aren’t just any uniforms – they’re the “Heroes” uniforms, a powerful tribute designed to support cancer awareness and research. This marks the fifth time the program has donned special uniforms to champion the fight against cancer, but this iteration carries a deeply personal resonance, spearheaded by Coach Lanning and his family.
The “Heroes” uniform is a collaborative creation, born from the Lanning family’s heartfelt desire to honor those impacted by cancer. Dan Lanning’s wife, Sauphia, a bone cancer survivor, played a pivotal role in the design, imbuing it with elements that reflect her journey and gratitude. “This is her love letter to her heroes,” explains Quinn Van Horne, the senior designer who collaborated with the Lannings to bring their vision to life. “This is her thanking the people who truly helped save her life.”
The uniform is rich with symbolic details contributed by each member of the Lanning family. The primary color, yellow, serves as a poignant nod to Sauphia’s battle with osteosarcoma. Extending beyond a single type of cancer, the helmet, cleats, gloves, and sleeve patches feature a vibrant multi-color panel, representing solidarity with all cancer patients and survivors.
Sauphia herself conceived the helmet logo, a striking fusion of the iconic Oregon “O” and a yellow ribbon, a universally recognized symbol of cancer awareness. This emblem of hope and support is prominently displayed on both the helmet and a sleeve patch, an inclusion championed by the Lannings’ middle son, Kniles. Their eldest son, Caden, suggested incorporating an ice cream cone into the fundraising merchandise. This sweet treat is a reminder of the joy the Lannings found in sharing ice cream after Sauphia’s treatment sessions, a small tradition that lifted their spirits during a challenging time. Youngest son Titan’s contribution was the multi-color panel adorning the cleats, while Coach Dan Lanning brought a scientific element to the design. He introduced the molecular structure of the “red devil” chemotherapy drug, a potent symbol of cancer treatment, which is subtly integrated as a background image on the gloves and sleeves and select retail items.
“I’m really glad the boys and Dan got to be a part of it all,” Sauphia Lanning shared. “They were definitely my driving force in getting better and healing. I’m just so glad they were able to put their touch on it.”
The genesis of this special “Stomp Out Cancer” uniform dates back to Coach Lanning’s arrival in Oregon in 2022. Athletic Director Rob Mullens proposed leveraging a uniform design to share Sauphia’s powerful story of resilience. During the Holiday Bowl trip that year, Sauphia sketched the initial concept for the “O” ribbon logo. Around the same time, a chance encounter with a fan sporting a tattoo of the “red devil” molecule sparked the idea to incorporate it into the “Heroes” design. The following spring, the Lannings collaborated with Todd and Quinn Van Horne of Van Horne Brands for a dedicated design meeting. Encouraging their sons’ creativity, they provided paper for the boys to sketch their ideas, leading to the personal and meaningful touches that define the “Heroes” uniform being unveiled today.
Sauphia expressed her profound appreciation for the design, stating earlier this year, “This is beyond what I would have envisioned for this whole series. We’re just really honored and grateful…and we’re looking forward to it — I can’t wait to see it all really come to life, and everyone really represented.”
Her initial sketch included the phrase “Take Flight + Fight” alongside the ribboned “O.” Sauphia deliberately used a plus sign, “+”, echoing the symbol of the cross, an international emblem of healthcare. Reflecting this, one sleeve patch reads “Flight + Fight,” while the other features a bell above the words “Stomp Out Cancer.” The bell symbolizes the triumphant moment when cancer patients ceremonially ring a bell to mark the completion of their treatment. Todd Van Horne explained, “That represents triumph for her.”
The jersey design further incorporates symbolic imagery, featuring both wings and diamond plating on the shoulders. Quinn Van Horne elaborated, “The diamond plating representing that gritty, tough fight, and then the wings on top representing flight.”
Much of the “Heroes” uniform imagery will be available on retail items for fans. A portion of the proceeds from these sales will be donated to the University of Oregon’s Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, further emphasizing Sauphia Lanning’s commitment to supporting the heroes in cancer research and treatment. “The medical staff was a big role in helping us get where we are,” she said. “They were there the entire time, and so I do see them as heroes and I’m so glad [the designers] honored that and put that in there. I think that’s incredible.” The “Heroes” uniform is more than just apparel; it’s a symbol of resilience, gratitude, and the Oregon Ducks’ ongoing commitment to making a difference beyond the football field.
