News Release

CHICAGO, IL (July 17, 2003) – Last summer, Gatorade^® Thirst Quencher commemorated its 35^th anniversary by sharing the legendary story of its birth through a commercial that revealed how researchers at the University of Florida developed a special formula – later to become known as Gatorade – to help the Florida Gators football team prevent dehydration while they played in the swamp-like heat. But what happened next? How did Gatorade go from the Florida Gators' secret weapon to the NFL sidelines, where thousands of gallons of Gatorade are consumed each season?

Starting July 16, the legend continues as Gatorade debuts "Origins II," which picks up where the original "Origins" commercial left off, by unveiling how Gatorade made its leap from college football to the NFL via the Kansas City Chiefs. The new 60-second spot features key players and team members from the 1969-1970 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl championship team, said to be the first in the NFL to have Gatorade on its sidelines. Former players Len Dawson and E.J. Holub; former coach Hank Stram; and former athletic trainer Wayne Rudy all appear in the commercial to provide their accounts of this little-known story of how Gatorade moved from the Florida Gators sidelines to the playing field of the NFL.

Back in the late 1960's, several of the Chiefs' star players suffered from dehydration in the hot and humid Missouri heat. Offensive center E.J. Holub - known as the toughest player on the team - even passed out in the middle of practice due to becoming severely dehydrated. Concerned, Coach Stram spoke with his friend, University of Florida coach Ray Graves, in search of a solution.

Coach Graves told Coach Stram about a relatively new concoction, Gatorade, which helped replenish and rehydrate his college football players, improving their performance. Coach Stram received a few cases of Gatorade, which he and trainer Wayne Rudy introduced to their team, and the rest is history. The Chiefs noticed dramatic improvements in their energy levels and performance, and went on to become the champions of Super Bowl IV during this time.

"In Origins I, athletes of all ages got the answer to how their favorite sports drink was created. Many people are surprised to learn of the humble beginnings of Gatorade and that it was developed at the University of Florida to help solve a real problem on the field of play," said Cindy Alston, vice president, communications and equity development for Gatorade. "We think the untold story of how Gatorade moved from the swamps of Florida to the sidelines of the NFL will be equally as powerful in Origins II."

"There's nothing more interesting than a true story," said Danny Schuman, group creative director at Element 79 Partners, the advertising agency that created and produced the spot. "When you weave together real people and real events, and score it with music that reflects the time, it's a pretty compelling way to communicate the true history of Gatorade."

The commercial was directed by Mark Pellington, who also directed the first "Origins" spot last year. Legendary sports broadcaster, Keith Jackson, once again narrates the story.

"'Origins 2' picks up where the original "Origins" commercial left off. As Keith Jackson said in the original spot, ‘the legend continues,' and the new "Origins 2" is only one of the many ‘untold stories' that continue the legend of Gatorade." Schuman added.

Gatoradeâ Thirst Quencher, the nation's leading sports drink, is backed by 35 years of research. Gatorade is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Nothing rehydrates, replenishes and refuels better than Gatorade. Gatorade is the official sports drink of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Major League Baseball, US Soccer, MLS, Arena Football League (AFL), American Volleyball Professionals (AVP) and numerous professional, collegiate and amateur teams and events throughout the world. Gatorade is manufactured by PepsiCo Beverages and Foods, a division of PepsiCo. For more information visit www.gatorade.com.

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