Oregon tight end Cam McCormick, of Bend.

Oregon Ducks tight end Cam McCormick’s bad luck with injuries has been heartbreaking for many, but his determination and commitment to the program and returning to the field is proving to be inspirational.

So much so, that a grassroots project has emerged to both celebrate his drive and character as well as help McCormick take advantage of the NCAA’s new rules allowing players to make cash off of their name, image and likeness.

A line of apparel is now available for pre-order. One of the key designs that appears on T-shirts and hoodies shows a photo of McCormick during his 16-yard reception at Ohio State on Sept. 11 that resulted in a first down but also proved to be his final play of the season. Along with the photo is the phrase, “Whatever it is, I got the first down.”

McCormick — a former multisport star at Bend’s Summit High School — said those words to GoDucks.com reporter Rob Moseley after the game, when the severity of his injury was not yet known.

As it turned out, McCormick tore his right Achilles on the play. It’s another in a long line of injuries that have hindered his college career. McCormick broke his lower left leg in the 2018 season opener. Complications and numerous surgeries led to him also missing the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He worked his way back to play this season, only to suffer another serious injury at Ohio State, where Oregon won 35-28.

McCormick’s response to the injury led to the development of apparel, which can be pre-ordered up until 8 a.m., Oct. 7 by visiting the merchandise website.

Ducks fan Jim Davis, who graduated from UO in 1994, watched the Ohio State game from his home in Seattle. The editor of the Scotsman Guide, a mortgage magazine, said he had followed McCormick’s story and was impressed by how he had worked his way back onto the field.

Davis watched the game while on the phone with a good friend, and both cheered when McCormick made his first and final reception of the season on a third down originating at the Oregon 2-yard-line.

After the play, Davis noticed that a Ducks player remained down on the field.

“Then you see it’s Cam McCormick and he hops off the field on one leg,” Davis said. “And you’re like, ‘Oh no, not this.’”

Seeing McCormick go down like that hit him hard, he said. But when Davis saw McCormick’s quote after the game, he marveled at the tight end’s positive attitude.

“I moan and whine if my wif-fi is out for five minutes and here is a kid who has gone through all of this and that’s his response?” Davis said.

Inspired, Davis said he went to an Oregon fan message board and posted about McCormick and suggested that someone should do some form of fundraiser for him. The post received a positive response but ultimately, Davis realized that it was his idea, so maybe he should take charge.

“It seemed like helping out a kid that has had such a tough journey seemed like a good idea,” Davis said.

Davis reached out to McCormick’s mother, Deb McCormick, on Twitter.

The new name, image and likeness rules allow players to benefit from endorsement deals. A sidelined player such as McCormick, however, could find it difficult to benefit from the new rules. Davis hopes that this effort could help McCormick benefit from his story, which Davis said is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

To create the shirts, Davis obtained a photo of McCormick in action from a GoDucks.com photographer. A graphic artist, who Davis said wanted to remain anonymous, designed the art artwork. The University of Oregon’s compliance and brand management team approved the project.

Fan response, Deb McCormick said, has been overwhelming. The outpouring of support for Cam McCormick since his most recent injury has fueled him.

“The Oregon Ducks have some of the best and most passionate fans in the country, and this act of generosity and thoughtfulness just proves they have the biggest hearts out there, too,” Cam McCormick said. “I can’t thank them enough — it means the world to me.”