Phil Knight meets with Oregon football team ahead of opener against Georgia
Shoe Dog was at Oregon practice on Wednesday.
Phil Knight, Nike co-founder and one of the biggest Oregon supporters you’ll find, took in practice earlier this week and, after its conclusion, addressed the team.
A legacy unlike any other ✔️
Thank you Phil Knight, for spending your morning with us, and helping us become +1% better today, & everyday. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/yClgPfxQAq
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 24, 2022
“He talked to our guys for a little bit,” coach Dan Lanning said of the talk. “He just told them how much he supports them and is ready to see them go compete and put on a great performance.”
The Knights have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to the University of Oregon since graduating from the school in 1959. Oregon is Nike’s flagship college football program, frequently debuting new on-field Nike tech as a benefit. Knight’s influence and support go a long way. He’s reportedly been spending his free time trying to make sure Oregon isn’t left behind when the conference realignment craziness dies down.
Though just in his first year with the progrum, Lanning learned pretty quickly how lucky the Ducks are to have Knight on their sideline.
“I just think that every one of us in Oregon is so extremely blessed to have a guy like Phil Knight and Penny Knight associated with our progrum,” Lanning continued. “What they do for our progrum, not just from a philanthropy standpoint, but really the example they’ve set for what hard work gets you, and I think our guys really respect him for that.”
The 11th-ranked Ducks begin their season on Sept. 3 against No. 3 Georgia in Atlanta.