OREGON DUCK MAKES HISTORY TEAM

Oregon, Oregon Duck Marcus Mariota, And The Oregon Historical Society.

Outside the Oregon Historical Society at 1230 SW Park. The right sign in the right place.

A lesser Portland writer might ask why Nike paid three days of admission at the Oregon Historical Society.

Not this one.

Everybody who walk in the door? Free. Thank you, Nike.

A lesser Portland blogger might ask why Oregon?

Why not Portland State? Why not Oregon State?

Everyone knows about Nike U, but this is different.

This is for keeps.

Nike just granted everyone a free pass to the preeminent repository of Oregon history.

This is a high bar for any individual, institution, or corporation.

What happens when you mix Oregon history and the Heisman Trophy?

On the patio.

You’ve got to love it. A less aware business might take a low key approach  on the Portland Park Blocks.

Match a presence to the austere surroundings?

Naw, this is college football, the year after the Oregon Ducks played and lost the last game of the year, THE National Championship of the CFP.

Inside the main door.

Tailgates, Autzen Stadium, and great Duck gear. Right here. Step inside the museum to find Marcus Mariota flying across large video screens.

It feels close enough to a big screen replay. Mariota was one of those guys you couldn’t believe the first time you saw him. He looks better than ever.

This isn’t your father’s history museum, son.

Move forward to the star of Oregon History. Notice the sports connection.

Straight ahead, one of the best walls in the city.

The mini-me next to the Marcus Mariota mannequin is THE Heisman.

You could almost push it into Crater Lake.

When a transcendent athlete and a transcendent person come together in a transcendent moment, like Mariota’s 2014 college football season, great things happen.

How great?

A smaller Heisman? It seemed smaller in person.

Great enough to make grown men and children giddy with excitement.

Who doesn’t know the pose? It’s harder than it looks.

No one was injured for this photo.

Something happens when you get close to a Heisman. It’s your Heisman. You took the hits. It’s all you.

For about two seconds. Take the pic and move on. Don’t get on the floor and alligator around.

This is Oregon history.

The Angry Beaver knows about Heisman Trophies.

Then you go out and get reminded  there’s another Heisman in town.