The origin story behind Oregon’s ‘big play scepter’

During Oregon’s Week 1 win over Portland State, Bryce Boettcher generated Oregon’s first turnover of the season — and a bit of confusion along with it.

The junior linebacker made a heads-up play on Christian Grubb‘s botched kickoff return midway through the second quarter and recovered the fumble to give the Ducks the ball back inside the red zone.

What happened next was, well, rather bizarre.

Boettcher headed to the sideline, brandished a staff with a Nike Air Force One tethered to the end of it, and raised it in the air triumphantly.

Via Pac-12 Network

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Oregon linebacker Jamal Hill provided some context behind the peculiar totem.

“It’s the big play scepter,” Hill said with a slight smile.

Each week, a person close to the Oregon program designs a shoe specifically for the scepter. Every time a Duck delivers a big play — a 40-yard gain, a fumble recovery, an interception, a fumble recovery, or a blocked punt — they get to sign the shoe and hold up the scepter.

“It’s in the name — you’ve just gotta make a big play,” Oregon linebacker Connor Soelle said.

At the end of the season, the shoes will be auctioned for charity.

Plenty of programs over the years have unveiled similar celebration items. Think Miami’s “turnover chain” or Oregon State’s “turnover chainsaw.”

Before fall camp began, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning came up with a Nike-centric twist on the idea and presented it to his players.

“We all agreed it was something cool. Because we didn’t really have anything to celebrate big plays here,” Hill said. “It gives us a little juice.”

For the season opener, legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield was responsible for designing the shoe. Hill said “somebody special” will handle design duties each week.

It’s rather fitting that Boettcher — a graduate of nearby South Eugene High School who also plays baseball for the Ducks — was the first recipient of the scepter.

“He’s a guy that loves Oregon,” Lanning said on Saturday. “It means a little bit to him, stepping on that field. I think you see that in the way that he plays.”

After joining the UO football program as a walk-on safety last summer, Boettcher packed on 20 pounds and made the full-time switch to linebacker during the offseason. Against Portland State, he notched his first career start and racked up four tackles.

“If ya’ll could watch him at practice throughout the week, the stuff he did on Saturday wouldn’t be surprising,” Hill said of Boettcher. “The stuff he does during the week shows you that he’s ready. He’s not just a spot-filler; he earned every minute he got on the field. He’s an amazing athlete. Probably one of the best athletes in Oregon history.”

The No. 13 Ducks will face off with Texas Tech in Lubbock this Saturday. They’ll undoubtedly look to generate more big plays on both sides of the ball against a Red Raiders squad that is coming off an upset loss at the hands of Wyoming.

“I think it’s really cool that Oregon always has these little things that set them apart from other schools,” Soelle said. “It’s a really creative idea that not a lot of places get the opportunity to do.”

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