Oregon's Dante Moore Reveals Mental Health Struggles, Discusses Mother's Cancer Diagnosis

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore used his platform as a high-profile collegiate athlete at a major program to advocate for increased access to mental health services in the state.

Moore wrote a letter to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek stressing the importance of protecting and expanding virtual mental health services after he used them while balancing football and schoolwork after his mother, Jera Bohlen-Moore, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.

"Early in my college career, I found myself struggling deeply: I was depressed," Moore wrote, per Ryan Clarke of The Oregonian. "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."

Bohlen-Moore was declared cancer-free in 2024, but Moore has continued to advocate for cancer awareness and the expansion of mental health resources that help people deal with the toll of such a diagnosis.

"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 was at UCLA when his mother was diagnosed and transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2024 campaign.

After leading the Ducks to the College Football Playoff last season, he decided to return to school instead of entering the 2026 NFL draft as a potential early pick.