My sister Kristy Newton Wheeler died of breast cancer in January 2016. Her illness was long and cruel, in and out of remission and treatment.
Throughout it she was determined to enjoy her three daughters, the horseback rides and trips to the beach, to savor memories and good days. She had a saying, "Choose Joy."
So it is thinking of my sister that I offer today's opening video of Oregon Ducks News, wide receivers coach Ross Douglas' infant son RJ dancing to the fight song with his stuffed duck.
There can't be anything purer or sweeter than a child dancing. It's a dose of joy. It shows too that the Douglas family is all-in on their transition to Oregon and ready to "Shout."
Jr. excited for the upcoming season 🦆 pic.twitter.com/JjZTEGMwlJ
— Ross Douglas Sr. (@RossDoug21) June 9, 2025
As a fanbase we can get caught up in the granular analysis of the wide receiver room or the secondary, in the study of the House Settlement or Husky hatred. Those are all valid uses of our time.
Oregon football isn't life or death. It's way more important than that.
Along the way however we should never pass up an opportunity to choose joy. To remember an old friend. To dance with the Duck.
In my off hours I'm reading "Bill Bowerman and the Men of Oregon" by the great Oregon distance runner Kenny Moore, who went on to become a feature writer for Sports Illustrated, back when the magazine was a centerpiece of sports journalism and excellence in storytelling.
Enjoying the book has impressed on me anew what a sacred responsibility it is to write about Oregon sports and strive to entertain an audience with their unfolding stories. I am reminded of my sister, and the importance of looking for the joy and the courage.