I also loved that you captured how we long-time Duck fans see the team's slow rise to the top. To us, it's magic, something conjured by spirits waiting gleefully to pull the rug out. Many of us will likely remain skeptical until--dare we even think it?--Oregon one day wins it all. We simply endured too many bad seasons at Autzen despite rosters that included the brilliant Dan Fouts and Ahmad Rashad and other future NFL pro bowlers. You could enter on a student pass and sit halfway up on the 50 because the stadium was maybe 1/3 full. Younger fans need to know. Back then, it rained at Autzen Stadium.
Great Story.......I lost my 93 yr. old mom a year ago this month. She lived in So. Cal and was widowed from her husband of 63 yrs. who was a sports writer and editor for his career. I moved to Oregon in 1979 and became a Duck fan shortly there after. I didn't miss a home game from 1994 to 2007. I moved to Texas then and enjoy on TV. My Mom and Dad would come up every Thanksgiving and I would take them to the games and tailgater. We went to Corvallis in '94. They both became dedicated Duck fans until the day they passed. Sports brings families together. I called my mom every day and signed off the call with a Love You and Go Ducks! She followed basketball as well as football and couldn't stand USC. LOL! GO DUCKS!
Hi Casey. Dad was indeed 16 when he went to Japan with the U.S. occupation forces and technically a WWII veteran. Yes, he lied about his age his entire life!
Another fantastic piece. This one hits me a little different than most of your others, as my mother passed away on September 3rd, just a few days after turning 83.
She was a lifelong Duck fan and a sports nut. She was an amazing volleyball coach and back in 1982 led a small Myrtle Point team to the state title. Both my sisters played on that team and as a 10yr old kid, I was the ball boy. She won the class 2A coach of the year for her efforts.
Her last Ducks game we were able to attent together was in the fall of 2019. Her, my dad, my then Freshman daughter and I watched a Duck victory.. I wasn't sure I was going to get the chance to get my 85 year old father to another game but as fate would have it, we're able to get to at least one more Ducks/Huskies game. I know mom will be watching.
How beautiful! Thanks for sharing this story. I love how being a fan of a college football team can become embedded into a family’s culture. It certainly has become so in my family. And we make space at our Duck dinner table for the family members who are Beaver or Husky fans. We share our passions and gentle ribbing. It’s all good.
When we were clearing out my uncle's stuff in 2000, my smart-ass sibling ( I have three) told me "well, you're next." And it was true--I had just become the senior family member. I can only hope that I have done enough to be thought of like Joyce. I never miss one of your columns, John, and I'd be happy to donate a subscription for someone else. The sports talk is fascinating, but nothing matches your touch with the people stories. Thank you.
Beautiful story John! I hope the Ducks can win it all as a coronation for Joyce and dozens of other diehard fans who stayed faithful thru thick and thin!😊 Go Ducks!
Another home run John; heartwarming. Bless the family, it is stories like this that neutralize all the "news" about college football, and make us appreciate its true contribution to many lives. Thank you, John. Play on, Charlie
I’m an OSU alum and die hard Beav fan, and also love this article. Two things can be true at the same time. RIP loyal fan.
I'm not crying, you're crying ... Beautiful once again, John. Thanks for making Duck football and sports about life.
Thanks for being here
You honor a mother’s memory and comfort her son…well done!
Thanks J
Beautiful column. Thank you.
I also loved that you captured how we long-time Duck fans see the team's slow rise to the top. To us, it's magic, something conjured by spirits waiting gleefully to pull the rug out. Many of us will likely remain skeptical until--dare we even think it?--Oregon one day wins it all. We simply endured too many bad seasons at Autzen despite rosters that included the brilliant Dan Fouts and Ahmad Rashad and other future NFL pro bowlers. You could enter on a student pass and sit halfway up on the 50 because the stadium was maybe 1/3 full. Younger fans need to know. Back then, it rained at Autzen Stadium.
Appreciate you
Great Story.......I lost my 93 yr. old mom a year ago this month. She lived in So. Cal and was widowed from her husband of 63 yrs. who was a sports writer and editor for his career. I moved to Oregon in 1979 and became a Duck fan shortly there after. I didn't miss a home game from 1994 to 2007. I moved to Texas then and enjoy on TV. My Mom and Dad would come up every Thanksgiving and I would take them to the games and tailgater. We went to Corvallis in '94. They both became dedicated Duck fans until the day they passed. Sports brings families together. I called my mom every day and signed off the call with a Love You and Go Ducks! She followed basketball as well as football and couldn't stand USC. LOL! GO DUCKS!
Thank you so much.
Hi Casey. Dad was indeed 16 when he went to Japan with the U.S. occupation forces and technically a WWII veteran. Yes, he lied about his age his entire life!
A hero! Love that generation!!
Story about one under age 13. You could volunteer at age 16 with parental consent. And, some lied about being 17 so they didn't need parental consent.
https://news.va.gov/109249/veteranoftheday-army-calvin-leon-graham/
You are on in a billion, John. Thank you for continuing to remind us all what’s really important. Grateful.
John,
Another fantastic piece. This one hits me a little different than most of your others, as my mother passed away on September 3rd, just a few days after turning 83.
She was a lifelong Duck fan and a sports nut. She was an amazing volleyball coach and back in 1982 led a small Myrtle Point team to the state title. Both my sisters played on that team and as a 10yr old kid, I was the ball boy. She won the class 2A coach of the year for her efforts.
Her last Ducks game we were able to attent together was in the fall of 2019. Her, my dad, my then Freshman daughter and I watched a Duck victory.. I wasn't sure I was going to get the chance to get my 85 year old father to another game but as fate would have it, we're able to get to at least one more Ducks/Huskies game. I know mom will be watching.
How beautiful! Thanks for sharing this story. I love how being a fan of a college football team can become embedded into a family’s culture. It certainly has become so in my family. And we make space at our Duck dinner table for the family members who are Beaver or Husky fans. We share our passions and gentle ribbing. It’s all good.
When we were clearing out my uncle's stuff in 2000, my smart-ass sibling ( I have three) told me "well, you're next." And it was true--I had just become the senior family member. I can only hope that I have done enough to be thought of like Joyce. I never miss one of your columns, John, and I'd be happy to donate a subscription for someone else. The sports talk is fascinating, but nothing matches your touch with the people stories. Thank you.
Bravo, when the lights on the field go out our humanity and those we care about is all we have.
Thanks Ray
Beautiful story John! I hope the Ducks can win it all as a coronation for Joyce and dozens of other diehard fans who stayed faithful thru thick and thin!😊 Go Ducks!
I will sometimes skim articles about the latest on the Pac 12 or media rights but I read and enjoy every word of articles like this!
Keep up the good work 👍
Brian I do the same thing.
As good as it gets, John
Well done, John.
Appreciate you Bob
Another home run John; heartwarming. Bless the family, it is stories like this that neutralize all the "news" about college football, and make us appreciate its true contribution to many lives. Thank you, John. Play on, Charlie