3 hours ago
Mar 16, 2026, 04:07 PM ET
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has revealed that he struggled with mental health issues related to the pressures of playing major college football.
Moore shared with The Oregonian/OregonLive in a story published Monday that he wrote a letter to Governor Tina Kotek earlier this month disclosing his battle with depression. In the letter, he also requested support for mental health services across Oregon.
"Early in my college career, I found myself struggling deeply: I was depressed," Moore wrote in the March 3 letter. "The pressure and expectations that come with playing quarterback at a high level felt overwhelming at 18. Around that same time, my mother was diagnosed with cancer.
"Watching her endure chemotherapy while I tried to stay focused on school and football challenged me mentally and emotionally. It was heavy in ways that are difficult to put into words."
Moore's mother, Jera Bohlen-Moore, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 during his first spring at UCLA. She was declared cancer-free in the summer of 2024. Since transferring to Oregon, Moore has continued to support cancer awareness efforts.
"In my life, what made the difference was support," Moore wrote. "Support from my friends, love from my family, and access to the resources I needed to get better. As a young Black man and athlete, reaching out for help can often feel like climbing an uphill battle. It required vulnerability and trust, and I was fortunate to get the care I needed."
Moore said he wrote the letter to Governor Kotek to advocate for the protection and expansion of virtual mental health services in Oregon, which he personally benefited from.
He also emphasized how mental health has affected him both on and off the field.
"I recently challenged my teammates to lead beyond the field and use our platform to support people who feel voiceless," Moore wrote. "Leadership is not just about what we do on Saturdays — it is about who we stand up for every day. As a quarterback, I am expected to lead, stay composed, and carry responsibility for my team.
"Learning how to care for my own mental health made me a better leader, teammate, and student. I know what it feels like to struggle in silence. I also know what it feels like to be supported and to come back stronger. That support saved me."
