The Interesting History of Gatorade

The Sports Drink that Evolved into an Industry

After playing a game of basketball in the hot sun, or mowing your yard in the sizzling heat, you might grab a cold bottle of Gatorade™ to quench your thirst. By drinking this non-carbonated drink, you're not only relieving your thirst, but you're also replacing lost hydration from sweating. Gatorade also supplies your body with carbohydrates and electrolytes. You may already have known that from reading the bottle. But, did you know, that, health benefits aside, there is an interesting history of Gatorade?

It all started in the fall of 1965. The University of Florida's football team, the "Gators", were having a hard time practicing and playing in the intense southern heat. The players sweated so much in the heat and humidity that they easily became rundown. The "sports drinks" of today weren't invented yet, and plain water didn't work to revive the exhausted football players. The Gators' coaches were perplexed. Not knowing what else to do, they asked the Science Department of the Florida university if they could come up with an antidote.

That September, Dr. Robert Cade, Dr. Dana Shires, Dr. Alex DeQuesada, and Dr. Jim Free began to work after hours to come up with a remedy for their football team's frequent dehydration problem. The four put their minds together and quickly invented a drinkable liquid they thought would work. Their brew had no color to it, but it had a bad taste. So, the scientists added lemon juice to the liquid in an effort to hide its putrid taste.

On October first, Ray Graves, who was head coach of the Florida Gators, allowed the new sports drink to be tested on his freshman players. The results showed promise. So, the very next day, the entire varsity team drank the colorless liquid during their game against the Louisiana State University Tigers. The temperature was a searing one hundred degrees. But the Gators chugged Gatorade and fought their way to victory, beating the Tigers 14 to 7.