Oregon Ducks' Emotional Video of Nike Founder Phil Knight After Ohio State Win

Nike founder and Oregon Ducks alumnus, Phil Knight, was emotional on the sidelines as the Ducks beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in Autzen Stadium. In an Oregon football video, watch as the 86-year-old Knight, wearing his signature black suit, black shirt, and black Oregon ball cap, celebrates on the field.

Phil Knight & family / Net worth $40.9 billion / Annie Rice / USA TODAY NETWORK

When thinking about the most famous people associated with the Oregon Ducks football program, a short list of major stars come to mind.

Actor Ty Burrell, who is currently the voice actor for “That Team Out West”, Oregon Football’s documentary series. There’s also Kaitlin Olsen, the “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star who appeared on week seven of ESPN’s College Gameday to support the Ducks. There are various athletes that have put in blood, sweat, and tears into the Oregon athletic program to then go on and have illustrious careers forever tied the Oregon football program.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight attends the Texas Tech-Oregon non-conference football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium. / Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

However, no alumnus has arguably done more for the Ducks than Nike CEO and Founder, Phil Knight, also known as “Uncle Phil” to many Oregon students.

When the Ducks took down the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Autzen Stadium 32-31, Knight was on the field. As he witnessed Ohio State quarterback Will Howard scramble on the final play and slide to the ground, he was watching from the sidelines.

The Oregon video team was able to capture the moment Knight reacted to the win and posted the video to Instagram with the caption, “Soak it in.”

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The video shows the 86-year-old Knight, wearing his signature black suit, black shirt, and black Oregon ball cap, briefing raising his arms before embracing the people next to him on the sidelines. A wide grin covers his face.

Hundreds of Duck fans commented on the post, sharing sentiments that Oregon Football should win a National Championship title this year because of “Uncle Phil”, thanking Knight for his contributions to the University, and sharing love for the Ducks after a massive marquee win.

If the Ducks do make a run in the brand-new 12-team College Football playoff, expect Knight to be a constant presence, as he has been for so many decades since graduating from the University of Oregon in 1959.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James celebrate a touchdown by Gabriel as the No. 3 Oregon Ducks host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Knight founded his sportswear company “Nike” (known as Blue Ribbon Sports at the time) at the University of Oregon with his former track coach and Oregon icon turned business partner Bill Bowerman in 1964. Since the inception of Nike, which started as a firm that imported shoes from Japan (from the brand now known as “Asics), the University and its track team was used as a testing ground for sportswear innovation.

That special relationship between Knight and the Ducks has continued to this day, with the Oregon Athletic Department releasing a mini documentary online called “Rooted in Substance,” highlighting the relationship between Knight and Oregon. Even the line of Oregon Football uniforms this year, called “Generation O”, is an ode to Nike’s legacy at Oregon.

Due to his close relationship with the school, Knight has continually given back in an eye-popping way that’s helped the University and it’s athletics programs flourish. His name can be found throughout campus, with current Oregon basketball arena is named after Knight’s deceased son, “Matthew Knight Arena,” then there’s the “Knight Law Center,” and the Oregon library is now known as “Knight Library.” 

Knight is also the founder of “Division Street,” an NIL conglomerate focused on the growth of student athletes in a business sense. This group is known for promoting several NIL-based projects like sponsored AirBNB’s, exclusive merch, and the “Ducks of a Feather Podcast,” as well as advising student athletes how to use their assets to maximize their earning potential in college.

Knight and his wife, Penny Knight, both have their names inscribed into the famous Oregon Duck Football throne seen in the Oregon Football Equipment Facility that frequently is used by Oregon recruits for photo opportunities.

According to Bloomberg, as of 2023, Knight has gifted over one billion dollars to the University of Oregon.

Though several critics of Oregon Football point to Knight’s generosity as the reason Oregon excels, it’s a sense of pride for many fans of the Ducks. For Knight, it seems to be a sense of pride that he can be present for some of Oregon’s greatest moments in his golden years. Surely, a National title could bring more than just a smile to the “Shoe Dog’s” face.

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