In 1954, this University of Oregon student was photographed wearing the sign “I’m a dumb duck beat Oregon” during the Civil War. Random and funny …
Due to some further investigating by my trusty student assistant, who was utterly dissatisfied by my cursory explanation of this photo, we now know a little more about why this poor young man is wearing such a sign. Apparently, it was all part of the pre-game shenanigans. The civil war rivalry flared during the week before the big game, when Beavers captured Ducks and made them wear these silly signs. They also painted their faces, presumably Beaver orange when they attempted to crash the Rook bonfire festivities!