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Oregon Ducks star quarterback Dante Moore is not only looking to make an impact on the field, but off it as well.
Moore, 20, wrote a letter to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on March 3 to advocate for increased access to mental health services in the state. Moore opened up about her struggles with depression in the letter.
“Early in my college career, I found myself in deep trouble: I was depressed,” Moore wrote in the letter he shared with The Oregonian. “The pressure and expectations of playing quarterback at a high level were overwhelming at age 18. Around the same time, my mother was diagnosed with cancer.
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Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the 2025 Orange Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, January 1, 2026. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)
“Watching her go through chemotherapy while I tried to stay focused on school and football challenged me mentally and emotionally. It was hard to put into words.”
Moore’s mother, Jera Bohlen-Moore, was diagnosed with breast cancer during Moore’s first season at UCLA, in the spring of 2023. She was declared cancer-free in the summer of 2024, when Moore transferred to Oregon.
The Ducks’ star quarterback opened up about how difficult it can be to ask for help.
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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal in Atlanta, Georgia, January 9, 2026. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)
“In my life, what has made the difference is support,” Moore wrote. “The support of my friends, the love of my family, and access to the resources I needed to get better. As a young Black man and athlete, asking for help can often feel like an uphill battle. It required vulnerability and trust, and I was fortunate to get the care I needed.”
Moore cited numerous statistics, including that suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults in Oregon. The quarterback said he challenged his teammates to become better leaders.
“I recently challenged my teammates to lead beyond the field and use our platform to support people who feel voiceless,” Moore wrote. “Leadership isn’t just about what we do on Saturday, it’s also about who we defend every day. As a quarterback, I’m supposed to lead, stay calm and take responsibility for my team.
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Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal game, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on January 9, 2026. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
“Learning to take care of my own mental health has made me a better leader, a better teammate, and a better student. I know what it feels like to struggle in silence. I also know what it feels like to be supported and come back stronger. That support saved me.”
Last season was Moore’s first season as a starter at Oregon, and he thrived. He completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Moore helped the Ducks go 13-2 and was widely ridiculed as the first overall pick in the NFL draft before choosing to return to school.
