Oregon QB Dante Moore Urges Governor on Mental Health

When Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore wrote to Governor Tina Kotek on March 3, he wasn't asking for anything for himself. He was speaking up for every young person in Oregon who struggles in silence.

Moore, just 20 years old, opened up about his own battle with depression during his freshman year at UCLA. The pressure of playing Division I quarterback at 18 felt crushing, but what nearly broke him was watching his mother, Jera Bohlen-Moore, undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer.

"It was heavy in ways that are difficult to put into words," Moore wrote in his letter, which he shared with The Oregonian. He balanced classes, football practice, and the fear of losing his mom.

Moore's vulnerability carries extra weight. As a young Black man and athlete, asking for help meant climbing an uphill battle. It required trust and courage in a culture that often demands toughness over openness.

But support made all the difference. Friends stood by him, family loved him, and he accessed the mental health resources he needed. His mother was declared cancer-free in summer 2024, and Moore transferred to Oregon, where he thrived as a starter.

Last season, Moore completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns. He led the Ducks to a 13-2 record and was projected as a top NFL Draft pick before choosing to return to school.

Now he's using that platform for something bigger than football. Moore cited statistics showing suicide is the second leading cause of death for young adults in Oregon. He challenged his teammates to lead beyond Saturdays and stand up for people who feel voiceless.

Why This Inspires

Moore's letter proves that asking for help isn't weakness. It's leadership. He learned that caring for his mental health made him a better quarterback, teammate, and student.

His message to the governor came from lived experience, not abstract concern. "I know what it feels like to struggle in silence," he wrote. "I also know what it feels like to be supported and to come back stronger."

Moore is showing a generation of young athletes that vulnerability and strength can coexist. His advocacy could help expand mental health access for thousands of Oregon young people who need it most.

That support saved him, and now he's determined to extend it to others.