Oregon Ducks

Video: Nike builds incredible display for Marcus Mariota's Heisman Trophy

Published Aug. 4, 2015 3:20 p.m. ET

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The Oregon Ducks and Nike have a connection unlike any other in college athletics. It should come as no surprise that the designers at Nike had something special cooked up for the greatest individual award ever won by an Oregon football player.

Marcus Mariota's 2014 Heisman Trophy will forever be placed in the halls of the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, Oregon's new football shrine.

Nike-designed display illustrates foundation of Mariota's Heisman Trophy run: http://t.co/CzEdYg3bRR #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/Rc4k2jShq6
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) August 4, 2015

As for the design, the guys at Nike wanted to build a story around Marcus' career at Oregon, on and off the field.

“It’s such a compelling story, and we wanted his voice to be put into the display,” said Todd Van Horne, global vice president and creative director for Nike football, according to a press release. “So years and years from now when somebody comes in to look at the Heisman, you understand who Marcus is.”

According to Rob Moseley of GoDucks.com, the display "was inspired by Mariota’s unforgettable Heisman acceptance speech, and engineered with the theme of the No. 8. Not only did Mariota wear No. 8 with the Ducks, but there are eight Hawaiian islands – incorporated into the display as large black marble benches behind the trophy – and eight levels to the base on which the trophy sits."

The trophy also sits on a diamond-shaped display because “it represents the jewel of the Emerald Valley, and Marcus being such a jewel,” said Van Horne.

Mariota's accomplishments will now be on display for all to see and the design allows for it to be displayed in open air, rather than in a case. It will be viewable on gamedays, even from outside of the football complex.

“From my standpoint and Nike’s standpoint, it’s truly inspiring,” Van Horne said, according to Moseley. “We’re so proud of him, so happy he’s part of the Nike family. We’re all on this journey together, and we’re happy to be a part of it and so proud.”

(h/t Oregon Ducks)