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 one-hour conversation last year, Alana has grown to be Dori’s reassuring companion, sending weekly texts with words of support and offering to listen sympathetically. They belong to a select group of female members who understand what it’s like to have a son who was born in Hawaii play quarterback for the Ducks, garner Heisman Trophy attention, and lead the team to the brink of a national championship.
Dori stated, “She has been a great confidante for me to bounce things off of.”
Dori Gabriel discovered the depths of her son’s generous character at a yard sale before Gabriel became a standout at Mililani High School.
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 arched an eyebrow, looked up, and eyeballed her kid who was carrying a pair of size 10 football cleats. 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.
Gabriel answered, “I’m going to buy these cleats.” I would like to present these to a team member. He hasn’t got any.
As Gabriel’s fame has grown, so too has his kindness.
As though he were back at that garage sale, Gabriel’s gift of new shoes to the Mililani boys basketball team two years after leaving Oahu for UCF sparked years of giving back to his old school.
Using his success as a collegiate football player, he contacted a local distributor to establish a partnership with Nike and turn Mililani into a Nike school. And Gabriel benefited, not only for himself, when collegiate players were eventually granted the opportunity to profit from their name, image, and likeness.
Using his fame, he has approached businesses to finance his charity endeavors at Mililani. Gabriel has repeatedly requested that a firm fund his cause instead of his own bank account when they have approached him with a NIL chance.
Since donating those basketball shoes four years ago, Gabriel has assisted numerous Mililani teams in acquiring new equipment, like as football, softball, volleyball, basketball, and soccer for both boys and girls. His generosity peaked earlier this year when he hosted an I’m Inspired event at Mililani.
The football team’s new uniforms and gear were unveiled at the event, which also featured a donation dinner, a free concert, a picture booth, free food, and games. The Trojans received new home and away outfits, shoulder pads, helmets, and other equipment thanks to gifts from companies like Nike, Riddell, EvoShield, and VICIS, which gave the squad 60 cutting-edge helmets.
In order to fund $250,000 for the event, Gabriel recruited donations from local businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and everybody else who could. Manny Pacquiao, a professional boxer, even wrote a $5,000 check.
According to Gabriel, I stand for more than just Oregon, my family, and myself. It’s Hawaii, too. That is not something I take lightly.
In September 2013, when the Oregon Ducks play the Volunteers at Autzen Stadium, quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) jumps above Tennessee defensive back LaDarrell McNeil’s coverage. The OregonianLC-The Oregonian’s Bruce Ely
Gabriel intends to upgrade the school’s weight and training rooms in phases over the next two years as the next step of his charity. It’s no surprise that the mayor declared May 3, 2024, to be Dillon Gabriel Day in Mililani for all time during the event.
It was a special occasion for a child born at his home, not far from the event. Additionally, it was a full-circle occasion, reminding Gabriel of a day he had spent with Mariota, his future companion and hero.
Mariota once came to visit Gabriel in elementary school as a celebrity volunteer for Jump Rope for Heart, a campaign to promote funds and awareness for heart disease. Mariota played with children for an afternoon while signing T-shirts and posing for photos. One of the shirts was Gabriel’s, and according to Dori, there is a picture of the two of them hidden away in the Gabriel home, serving as a reminder that Mariota has influenced her son in ways that are incalculable on a football field.
According to Dori, Marcus has always been an inspiration to him and is such a selfless person. Marcus’s accomplishments truly demonstrated to Dillon that anything was achievable.
Gabriel’s high school football coach, Rob York, was added: As they say, 808 all day. We always support and encourage one another. For men like Dillon, people like Mariota helped pave the way. Despite all of the hardships he had experienced, he remained modest. He has served as an excellent example for everyone. Dillon noticed that. That gave Dillon inspiration. If you were to remove all of his football-related accomplishments, you would just believe that he is a wonderful man. He doesn’t pretend to be a Heisman finalist or a member of the top team in the country. He doesn’t act arrogant. He is incredibly kind and modest. He’s the same guy he was in youth football and high school.
One day, I hope, Mariota will be governor. If he so desired, he could. The man is just remarkable. Additionally, Dillon shares Mariota’s outlook and attitude. He never stops being upbeat and giving back. He recognizes the significance of representing Ohana and the islands.
One year has passed when Gabriel texted his hero to ask for permission to wear Oregon’s renowned No. 8 while he was standing in the equipment room.
Gabriel will always remember the talk, but Mariota also found it to be quite memorable.
Hearing someone say they wear a number because of you is such a praise, so it’s surreal for me, Mariota added. It’s a true honor. And I’ve enjoyed watching it. It has been thrilling to watch Dillon have such a fantastic season, and it has been a little melancholy to see the No. 8 in Autzen.
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