photos by Matt Nicholson
Tattoos mean different things to different people. They commemorate lost loved ones and strong supporters. They commemorate favorite bible verses and hometowns. The ink serves as both inspiration and a permanent reminder.
Whatever the reason, multiple Oregon football players sport tattoos.
Blair Phillips
senior linebacker
Phillips went with teammate Ryan Keeling to get a tattoo this summer. The tattoo on his right arm means powerful and is displayed in the photo. His left arm signifies truth and respect. Phillips’ brother sparked the senior linebacker’s interest with a small Chinese symbol. Phillips has his initials on the back of an arm and also a tattoo of bible verse Philipians 4:13, meaning, “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.” Phillips, whose girlfriend recently gave birth to his son, is thinking of another tattoo in honor of his child. “I thought about getting his birth sign on my ribs, but I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Cameron Colvin
junior wide receiver
Colvin’s collection of tattoos is his own personal family tree with art honoring his mom, dad, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. Get the wide receiver to flex his arms and you can read his name. A cousin draws all his tattoos. One tattoo on his right arm memorializes Terrance Kelly, a former University recruit, who was killed in Richmond, Calif., in 2004. Oregon players Jackie Bates, Terrell Ward and former UCLA running back Maurice Jones-Drew also have tattoos commemorating Kelly. “He was my best friend, like a brother – so close,” Colvin said. “He’s not here so we try to live for him.”
Dante Rosario
senior tight end
Rosario possesses a variety of tattoos on his arms. On his right arm is a tattoo expressing his idea of the gates of heaven and shown in the photo. Rosario has a tattoo of Dominican in Spanish, which is part of his heritage. “It’s part of me,” Rosario said of his tattoos. “I like the artwork of it. I like how it looks. I’ve always kind of been fascinated with the artwork of tattoos.”
Ryan Keeling
sophomore tight end
Many of Keeling’s tattoos are related to his strong religious beliefs. He has multiple bible verses and a cross that says, “If God is with me, who can be against me.” Keeling got his first tattoo in high school. “I always wanted to get one and as soon as I got more money I just kept doing it. I plan on getting quite a few more.” Keeling placed most of his tattoos on the upper parts of his arms so he can cover them with sleeves. “I feel like all my tattoos have meaning to me,” Keeling said. “I don’t just get things ’cause they look cool. I like being able to look at it and see it on my body and know what it means.”
Patrick Chung
sophomore rover
Chung started his tattoo collection when he arrived in Eugene. He has one tattoo of his dad’s name Ronald on one arm and another for his mom Sophia on the other. “They didn’t want me to get it at all at first but I guess they can’t really say anything ’cause it says their name on it,” Chung said. On his right arm Chung has Kingston and August and on the left arm Jamaica and 19, 1981. The two sides put together equal his birthplace and birthday. “I always know I’m going to have my parents and know where I’m from,” Chung said. “It’s just to let other people know what I’m about.”
