Eugene The tale is already ingrained in Oregon football mythology because it has been repeated so frequently and in so many different ways.
Dillon Gabriel was shocked to learn that Marcus Mariota’s iconic No. 8 uniform had not been retired during his recruiting trip to Eugene last December. The lone Heisman Trophy winner in program history has consistently turned down the Ducks’ repeated attempts to enshrine it.
Gabriel, who had worn No. 8 for Oklahoma the previous two seasons, could now wear it with the Ducks.
But for Gabriel, it wasn’t that easy.
Mariota was a star quarterback from Oahu, Hawaii, like him, and he grew up idolizing him. When Gabriel was younger, he wore an Oregon jersey and spent Saturdays watching Mariota and the Ducks on TV. Mariota’s consent would be needed to wear the actual No. 8.
As a thrilled Gabriel stood in the Oregon football equipment room, he took out his cell phone and called his hero to ask a question that had previously seemed unthinkable, but the call ended up in voicemail.
Dillon’s mother, Dori Gabriel, stated that he was unable to respond because he was putting his daughter to sleep. He replied with a text that read, “Hey Dillon, just text me.”
Thus, a text message with one of the most distinctive and memorable requests in program history was sent.
Mariota added, “I told him that I would be honored if he wore the number.” It was a privilege to have those chats, and it meant a lot that he took the time to do that. It has resulted in a wonderful friendship.
However, the number eight is more than just a chance number that links a treasured aspect of Oregon’s history. A pair of Hawaiian lads are connected to their culture, aloha spirit, Ohana, and brotherhood through this symbolic representation of the state’s eight main islands. With Mariota and an island watching, Gabriel has led the Ducks to the verge of their first national championship.
The two have been in regular contact since that initial text in December of last year, with Mariota frequently sending congratulations, encouragement, and words of support before and after important games. A friendship has grown out of what began as a request for a uniform number.
Gabriel stated, “I believe it’s a different relationship with Marcus.” That was a man I admired. An example. Therefore, I’m really grateful for him and the way he portrays himself, his family, his university, and all of his places. Hawaii as well. He is a man who has always done things correctly. What an inspiration he is. People advise against meeting their heroes, or something similar. I met mine, though, and I’m grateful for him. due to the fact that he is the same person and stands for what is right. I am therefore really fortunate and appreciative of that. I’m fortunate to have that, therefore I’ll never take it lightly.
Rose Bowl quarterfinal for the CFP
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Who:
No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-0) vs. No. 8 Ohio State (11-2)
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When:
Wednesday, Jan. 1
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Time:
2 p.m. PT
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Where:
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
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TV channel:
ESPN
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Stream:
You canwatch this game live for FREE with Fubo
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It was actually their mothers that planted the seeds of Mariota and Gabriel’s friendship.
Alana Deppe-Mariota and Dori Gabriel had been acquaintances for a number of years, having met through a common friend. The buddy believed Alana, who had witnessed everything during Mariota’s time at Oregon, would be a great resource for Dori since she knew Gabriel was going to leave the island to play football at Central Florida.
They briefly discussed recruiting, the difficulties of relocating their sons across the globe, and adolescent life away from the island. Gabriel distinguished himself as a dual-threat powerhouse, modest leader, and successful college quarterback before going on to become a star at UCF and Oklahoma. Mariota carried on raising a family and navigating the NFL.
Then, in an unplanned one-hour phone call last year, Alana contacted Dori to share her impressions on Mariota’s experience, the school, and Eugene after learning that Gabriel was considering transferring from Oklahoma and that Oregon was a potential destination.
According to Dori, she was raving about the program and stated it was a place where you could achieve incredible things. She discussed Eugene’s culture and atmosphere. For me, it was crucial that we raise our children in a particular manner since we are islanders. Dillon needed to be in an environment that would enable him to reach his full potential as a person and as a football player.
It’s representative of Oahu’s operations.
According to Dori, there are two degrees of separation on her island: If you don’t know someone, you most likely know someone who does. This sense of familiarity, along with the attitude of aloha and the community’s multicultural composition, has produced a unique atmosphere.
According to Dori, islanders are simply a little different. We lead from the heart. We don’t mind learning about other people’s viewpoints on life. There is a lot of responsibility for your name and appearance when you grow up on the island. Your name should never be a source of shame. Additionally, you’re constantly trying to assist others.
Since their hour-long conversation last year, Alana has grown to be Dori’s reassuring friend, sending weekly texts with supportive words and offering to listen sympathetically. They are part of an exclusive club of women who know what it s like to have a Hawaiian-born son play quarterback for the Ducks, earn Heisman Trophy buzz and guide the team to the cusp of a national championship.
Dori stated, “She has been a great confidante for me to bounce things off of.”
It was at a garage sale, before Gabriel blossomed into a star at Mililani High School, when Dori Gabriel grasped the depths of her son s gracious spirit.
Gabriel revealed a surprise as she rummaged through trinkets and someone else’s old treasures at the sale.
He said, “Hey mom, I need $10.”
She looked up, eyeballed her son holding a pair of size 10 football cleats, and raised an eyebrow. He didn’t wear shoes in a size 10. Gabriel already had football cleats, even if he did.
For what purpose do you need it? She enquired.
I m going to buy these cleats, Gabriel replied. I want to give them to someone on the team. He doesn t have any.
Gabriel s generosity has only increased as his star has risen.
Two years after he left Oahu for UCF, Gabriel donated new shoes to the Mililani boys basketball team, which ignited years of giving to his former school, as if he was back at that garage sale.
He reached out to a local distributor to forge a relationship with Nike, using his college football success as a means to make Mililani a Nike school. And, when college athletes were finally given a chance to make money off their name, image and likeness, Gabriel cashed in and not just for himself.
He s used his notoriety to solicit sponsorships from companies to fund his charitable projects at Mililani. More than once, when a company has approached Gabriel with an NIL opportunity, he has asked that they fund his cause rather than his personal bank account.
In the four years since he donated those basketball shoes, Gabriel has helped a surplus of Mililani teams score new gear, including boys and girls basketball, volleyball, softball, boys and girls soccer and, of course, football. His giving reached its apex earlier this year, when he held a benefit dubbed I m Inspired at Mililani.
The event, which included a donors dinner, free concert, photo booth, free food and games, culminated in the unveiling of new uniforms and equipment for the football team. Thanks to donations from brands like Nike, Riddell, EvoShield and VICIS which donated 60 state-of-the-art helmets to the team the Trojans were outfitted with new home and away uniforms, shoulder pads, helmets and other gear.
Gabriel raised $250,000 for the event, luring donations from Fortune 500 companies, local businesses and anyone else who would help. Even professional boxer Manny Pacquiao wrote a $5,000 check.
I represent more than myself and my family and Oregon, Gabriel said. It s also Hawaii. I don t take that lightly.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) leaps over the defense of Tennessee defensive back LaDarrell McNeil (33) as the Ducks face the Volunteers at Autzen Stadium in September 2013. Bruce Ely / The OregonianLC- The Oregonian
The next phase of Gabriel s philanthropy is upgrading the school s training and weight rooms, which he hopes to do in stages over the next two years. It s no wonder that, during the event, the mayor proclaimed that May 3, 2024, would forever be known as Dillon Gabriel Day in Mililani.
For a kid who was born in his house, not all that far from the ceremony, it was a memorable moment. It was also a full-circle moment, evoking memories of a day Gabriel once spent with his hero and future friend, Mariota.
When Gabriel was in elementary school, Mariota once visited as a celebrity volunteer for Jump Rope for Heart, an event designed to raise money and awareness for heart disease. Mariota spent an afternoon playing with kids, posing for pictures and signing T-shirts. One of the shirts belonged to Gabriel, and Dori says there s a photo of the pair tucked away somewhere in the Gabriel house, offering a reminder that Mariota has inspired her son in ways that cannot be measured on a football field.
Marcus is such a selfless person and he has always been an inspiration to him, Dori said. What Marcus was able to accomplish really showed Dillon that anything was possible.
Added Rob York, Gabriel s high school football coach: The saying goes: 808 all day. We always help each other, cheer for each another. Guys like Mariota helped set the stage for guys like Dillon. He was humble even through all the adversity he s been through. He s been a great role model for everyone. And Dillon saw that. Dillon was inspired by that. If you didn t know he was a football player and if you were to take away all the football accolades, you would just think he s a great guy. He doesn t act like he s a Heisman finalist or playing on the No. 1 team in the nation. He doesn t act entitled. He s just so humble and so kind. He s the same dude he was in high school and youth football.
I hope Mariota becomes governor one day. He could if he wanted to. The guy is that amazing. And Dillon is just like Mariota in his attitude and perspective. He s always positive, always giving back. He values the importance of representing the islands and Ohana.
It s been one year since Gabriel stood in that equipment room at Oregon and texted his idol for permission to wear Oregon s famed No. 8.
And while the conversation was one that Gabriel will never forget, it was pretty special for Mariota, too.
It s surreal for me, because it s such a compliment to hear someone say they wear a number because of you, Mariota said. It s truly an honor. And it s been fun for me to watch. It s been a bit nostalgic seeing the No. 8 in Autzen and it s been exciting to see Dillon have such a successful season.
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