Oregon unveils Grateful Dead-inspired uniforms for ‘tie-dye out’ game
By David Wasson
Published:
Oregon is known for having more uniform variants than any college football program in the country, an almost limitless number of color combinations often including green, yellow, white and black.
True to form, the Ducks are breaking out yet another unique uniform set Saturday against visiting Wisconsin – and are asking Oregon fans to wear tie dye to match.
Called “Grateful Ducks”, the psychedelic threads are an homage to the Grateful Dead band that had a unique relationship with Eugene. The uniforms are all black with colorful tie-dye designs on the numbers and Oregon O on the helmet. The back bumper of the the Ducks’ helmets – which have silver wings on either side – also sport a 5 dancing Oregon Duck mascot images depicted in rainbow colors.
The Grateful Dead, in its various forms, was formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, Calif., and was known for their eclectic style that fused elements of rock, blues, jazz, folk, country, bluegrass, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, and world music with psychedelia.
The pioneering godfathers of the jam band world, The Dead played Autzen Stadium 10 times beginning in 1978 and ending in 1994. The band also held several concerts at sites around the city all the way back to playing the EMU Ballroom in 1968. The band celebrated 50 years of live performance in 2015 with 5 concerts called “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead.”
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
