Oregon’s athletes aren’t the only thing shining on gamedays.

For hundreds of thousands of fans coming to or watching a television broadcast game at Autzen Stadium or Matthew Knight Arena over the last half-decade, it’s been nearly impossible to miss the Dapper Duck. 

That title is a mirrored, shiny creation of Ducks’ super fan Chris Smith, who has been dressing up in a mirrored and colorful suit for Oregon football, basketball and volleyball games since 2019.

Smith, who operates under the title @therealdapperduck on Instagram, has become somewhat of a pseudo-mascot for Oregon fans, attending every event he can in incredibly sparkly fashion. 

The suit, which he says does not have a name but has evolved to this particularly glistening rendition, has a removable liner on the inside that can be washed. Smith says it also does remarkably well with rain. 

“I can really wear it wherever, obviously, the games at Matthew Knight are better,” Smith said. “But now that it’s more of a thing, it’s become an identity.”

Smith grew up in Maine before moving to Santa Cruz, California, and has now lived in Eugene since the 1990s He has made a life in Oregon, raising his daughter in the city and going to every Ducks sporting event he can. 

“Eugene has been so good to me,” Smith said. “From the beauty to the sports, there’s not much else I could ask for…. I think dressing up and putting on a good show when I can is a good way to give back.” 

Smith recently traveled to State College for Oregon’s matchup with Penn State, a trip that he estimated to cost nearly $3,000 for him and his fiancée, Renee. He says his favorite memory as a fan was traveling to the Big Ten Championship last season in Indianapolis — after the game, he shaved both sides of his head with the writing “Big Game, 10 Champs” on each side of his head after the Ducks’ Big Ten Championship win.

Smith works in landscaping, but it’s truly his Saturday and other gameday shifts that stand out the most. 

“It’s good fun, and I try to remind myself that it’s all for fun really,” he said. “ For me, Knowing something as simple as dressing up and wearing a fun outfit can make someone’s day, win or lose.” 

As for his title, Smith came up with “The Dapper Duck” entirely on his own. 

“I started doing sequins and stuff for a while. I had been brainstorming with a friend, and then that one came up and we went with it,” he said.

Smith had always been interested in fashion, outfits and colors, but in 2017, he decided to take his fandom to a new level. 

“I bought a sequin jacket online that was kind of a green and gold mix. I started wearing that to basketball, but more women’s basketball because that was so big…the Sabrina (Ionescu) days mainly, because they were so good,” he said.  

Smith says he is an outgoing person, but understands that the suit helps him elevate to another level. 

“It’s a bit of my personality, but there’s definitely a character involved in the whole process,” Smith said. “Especially with football, because it’s such a big thing. Basketball, volleyball, it’s a little different outside, really, really big games and matches.” 

Although flashy, the suit and Smith’s gameday gig are not free from familial embarrassment, in good fun, of course.

“My friends, of course, love it,” Smith said. “My daughter, she’s a sophomore at UO now too. She loves it too, but she’s a college student, so she’s like ‘can you not wear the jacket all the time’… she’ll go to football games with me, of course, but probably doesn’t love all the attention it sometimes brings.” 

The transition to dressing up for Smith, however, was natural. 

“I was probably nervous the first couple of times I had done it, because I had just worn jerseys and normal fan stuff,” Smith said. “But now I don’t really even think about it.” 

Smith has also begun to incorporate a gold hat that matches the rest of his outfit. He and Renee both tout similarly unique outfits on and off gamedays and enjoy going “all out.” 

The suit also serves as a terrific ice-breaker, something that helps him connect with other fans and their kids instantly. 

“These past couple of years, Oregon has been beating some schools pretty badly, so it’s a fun way to talk about something outside the game, regardless of the score,” he said. 

Of course, it’s always better when Oregon wins, he says. 

“I love the Ducks… dressing up just makes it a lot more fun and a unique part of the experience.”