TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University football players will once again have access to advanced heat-recovery technology during the upcoming season after the FAMU Rattler Boosters and the Eddie Jackson 220 QB Club renewed their partnership to fund the Rattler Recovery Unit for the 2026–27 football season.
The two organizations announced Sunday that they will continue sharing the cost of renting the climate-controlled recovery chamber, marking the fifth consecutive year of the partnership. The specialized unit, based on the Boudreaux Recovery System, is designed to rapidly lower athletes’ core body temperatures after strenuous activity, helping reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses during Florida’s intense preseason conditions.
“In this Florida heat, our guys are working extremely hard to have success on the field,” said FAMU Head Football Coach Quinn F. Gray Sr. “The support of the Rattler Boosters and the Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club to provide the Rattler Recovery Unit is crucial as we have over 100 guys out there in full pads when we start full drills. The ability to reduce instances of heat illness says that we care about our student-athletes.”
Gray added that Florida A&M remains the only Historically Black College or University to utilize the original Boudreaux Recovery System.
According to the organizations, the 9-foot by 40-foot recovery chamber maintains an interior temperature of approximately 22 degrees and combines chilled air with a fine water mist to help cool athletes quickly following practice. The technology is also used by several NCAA Division I and professional football programs.
Rattler Boosters President Zachary Ansley said the initiative began after several FAMU players experienced serious heat exhaustion during preseason workouts years ago.
“The solution to the problem was the rental of the Cooling Recovery trailer,” Ansley said. “Since the inception of this endeavor, no Rattler players have suffered heat exhaustion complications during summer preseason training. I am immensely proud of the donors whose generosity have made this possible.”
The recovery unit is scheduled to arrive at FAMU’s athletics complex on July 29, ahead of preseason practice.
Jerrlyne Jackson, CEO and president of the Eddie Jackson 220 QB Club, said the partnership has produced measurable results since it began.
“When we first partnered in 2022, our goal was simple: keep our players safe in the heat so they could focus on winning,” Jackson said. “Five years later, the data speaks for itself—fewer heat-related incidents, quicker recoveries, and continued on-field success.”
The Rattler Boosters serve as Florida A&M University’s official direct-support organization for athletics, raising funds to enhance the student-athlete experience. The Eddie Jackson 220 QB Club supports player development, health initiatives and academic success through philanthropic giving.
With preseason football practices set to begin during one of the hottest periods of the Florida summer, university officials say the continued investment underscores a shared commitment to player safety while helping the Rattlers remain competitive on the field.
