Eugene A newborn girl was born in Northern California earlier this year as Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks were deep in spring football camp.
She became a legend at Autzen Stadium eight months later while wearing a fuzzy little duck costume.
During Saturday’s Oregon vs. Washington game, which was broadcast live by her father, Avery White, she appeared on the big screen. The jeers got louder as each camera moved away from the infant. And the applause increased with every cutback, as her feet kicked in the chilly Eugene air.
Just released is the new Oregon mascot:pic.twitter.com/nesQUrFgXj
Although it was infant Avery’s first college football game, her parents, who are both from the Sacramento region, continued an annual tradition.
Mom Wendy White told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Sunday, “We’ve made it a Thanksgiving tradition to go to a different college football game every year.” Since 2016, we have been doing it. Dad Avery played football at Sacramento State and is an avid college football enthusiast.
In the last eight years, Wendy and her husband Avery have visited the Big House for Michigan vs. Ohio State, Death Valley for an LSU night game, and a number of other college football stadiums. According to Avery, he has no loyalty outside of Sacramento State, his alma college, where he first met Wendy. Additionally, Baby Avery hasn’t decided on a college yet.
On Saturday, however, she was made an honorary Duck, partly because of a rash purchase from Dad.
Avery White stated, “This year was the first year we had baby Avery, who is now eight months old, and we always wear the home team’s garb.” When I came across the duck costume while browsing the Internet in an attempt to find her something to wear, I thought, “Baby, how amazing would it be to have her dress like a duck for her first college football game?” It also brought us to the big screen.
In the now-famous duck costume, the Whites also brought their child to story hour at a local Eugene library. Following suggestions from a family member who had visited the city for the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, they visited McMenamins and Track Town Pizza and explored the city.
Wendy and Avery hope that their daughter will watch the film and learn to value the unity of sports and the power of fandom in the years to come. Their experiences going to games in various places have one thing in common: the localities that contribute to the uniqueness of collegiate athletics.
The Whites cited Autzen Stadium as having one of the greatest atmospheres they had ever seen and scoffed at the idea that Oregon supporters may try to band together and take the family to a postseason game in the hopes of winning.
Is that the baby? was the question on everyone’s mind as they moved up and down the stands. Is it the well-known infant? Avery White laughed as she spoke. Additionally, during and after the game, we probably had five or so individuals who wanted to take pictures with her. It was simply insane.
–The Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference are covered by Ryan Clarke. Get the Ducks Roundup email or listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast.
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