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FAMU football's 'Restore the Strike' fundraiser growing. But needs final push
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- FAMU football's 'Restore the Strike' fundraiser growing. But needs final push
Florida A&M is calling on key supporters and stakeholders to be 'ALL IN' with new head football coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr.
So, the FAMU Foundation has launched the 'Restore the Strike' fundraising initiative to assist the former Rattlers superstar quarterback in his dream role of leading his alma mater's football team .
Florida A&M Rattlers head football coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. stands at Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse on campus in Tallahassee, Florida. Gray, a former quarterback for the Rattlers, was named head coach on Dec. 23, 2025. He was previously the head coach of the Albany State Golden Rams.
Currently, in Phase I, 'Restore the Strike' aims to raise $250,000 for FAMU football by Saturday, Jan. 31. According to its live tracker , the initiative has 437 donors, who've contributed nearly $170,000.
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'Restore the Strike' is being spearheaded by FAMU's Major Gift Officer for Athletics and the Marching 100, Marvin Green Jr.
"It's about Rattlers getting behind this new transition we have in our football leadership," he told the Tallahassee Democrat. "We have one of our own who's come back home, Quinn Fordham Gray Sr., to get us back to that championship level."
After weeks of rumors, Gray was hired as FAMU's 20th full-time head football coach on Dec. 23, 2025, leaving his former role as Albany State's head coach.
The 'Restore the Strike' campaign was immediately launched thereafter.
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And Gray has not been shy about what his program needs.
Items atop the FAMU football coach's wishlist are nutrition, lights for the on-campus practice field, upgrades at the Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse, and iPads to install playbooks on.
Gray and FAMU's new Vice President and Director of Athletics, John Davis , will collaborate on where to expend the contributions made through the 'Restore the Strike' campaign.
"For me, this campaign helps us bring things to the program for our student-athletes to help them develop as football players," Gray said at his introductory press conference on Jan. 9.
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"So, we've got to understand where we're going as a culture and a school and just make sure we're putting our student-athletes in the best position to be successful."
As the initiative prepared to go live, Green met with Gray to ask for the needs for the new head Rattler to succeed.
Green then met with "key constituents" before the Christmas holiday to ask for their support for FAMU football and its coach.
FAMU support groups, the Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club, Rattler Boosters, the Rattlers F Club, Rattlers in Arms, and the Alpha Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. have all committed significant donations for the 'Restore the Strike' campaign.
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Once FAMU football reaches the $250,000 threshold, 'Restore the Strike' will then move to its next phase, which will trend upwards to raising $500,000 and $1 million.
"And $250,000 is only the start," Green said. "We know to have a true program of championship caliber, we've got to raise the bar. We wanted to make sure [Gray] at least had a solid foundation coming in. He needed to feel some love coming in. Championship programs are built through championship supporters.
"We want Rattler Nation just to be all in."
FAMU football coach Quinn Gray, Presidents have donated to 'Restore the Strike'
Prominent Rattlers have put money in the pot for 'Restore the Strike.'
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Gray donated over $1,500 to his FAMU football team out of his own pocket. FAMU President Marva Johnson has contributed alongside former presidents Dr. Larry Robinson and Dr. Timothy Beard.
"When you start seeing our university leadership get this, it says everybody is in all in," Green said. "It's not one of those things where you're just expecting the folks that are in the stands to give. You want to have the folks in the suites, pressbox, or the President's box giving as well."
FAMU football's 'Restore the Strike' fundraiser could boost championship possibilities
Just three seasons ago, the Rattlers were hoisting the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Celebration Bowl trophies.
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Since then, FAMU football has gone downhill, recording its first losing season in 2025, finishing 5-7.
Rattler fans hope Gray comes to FAMU and wins immediately.
"If people only look at the football game as a time to come tailgate and hang out or just buy a ticket, that only does so much. We're talking about philanthropic giving," Green said. "How do I give to support a program so that it's sustainable? We want to make sure we put ourselves in a position to succeed. Because Rattlers' expectations are up."
'Restore the Strike' accepts and appreciates all contributions.
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But it needs generous donations to reach its $250,000 Phase I goal before the Jan. 31 target date.
"We've got to up our participation level," Green said. "We need people to understand what a true base is. We don't knock anybody ― $25 and $100 are great. But we're looking for more of the $500 and $1,000 level because that's what really moves the needle. I think when we dig in the pockets a little deeper, it's OK when you cheer a certain kind of way with certain expectations because you've shown that you bought in."
Florida A&M University's Major Gift Officer for Athletics and Marching 100 Marvin Green spoke at the Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club at the Old West Florida Enrichment Center in Tallahassee, Florida, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Green has been sending out text messages and emails thanking Rattler Nation for their contributions, but asking for one last push to help Gray's FAMU football team secure the needed materials.
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"There's a difference between being a supporter and a stakeholder," he explained. "Supporters just make sure the lights are on. Stakeholders dictate the type of outcomes you have.
"We want more stakeholders."
To donate to FAMU football's 'Restore the Strike' campaign, click here.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football closing in on goal for 'Restore the Strike' fundraiser
