FAMU's 220 Quarterback Club returns from two-month hiatus to honor late President Eddie Jackson
The 220 Quarterback Club is back.
Florida A&M supporters and Rattlers sports fans filled the Old West Enrichment Center on Wednesday for the first in-person 220 Club luncheon since May 7.
The organization, which financially supports FAMU athletics, wasted no time to honor its President and founder, Eddie Jackson.
Jackson passed away on June 3 in Tallahassee. He was 86.
“I’m going to turn this into a quick meeting for one motion. I move that we officially name this group the ‘Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club,’” FAMU Sports Hall of Fame football player and former athletics administrator Vaughn Wilson recommended to the audience.
Wilson’s motion received applause and no objections.
Rattler Boosters President Selvin Cobb emceed the luncheon.
Rattlers spoke highly of Jackson, who devoted 58 years of work at his alma mater, FAMU.
His noteworthy contributions included producing the school’s 1966 yearbook and founding and presiding over the 220 Quarterback Club from 2009 until his death last month.
Jackson is a FAMU Sports Hall of Famer, enshrined with the 2008 class.
One of the speakers was Jackson’s widow, Jerrlyne. She brought copies of Jackson’s last writings and funeral programs to distribute to 220 Quarterback Club members.
“I want to thank all of you for all of your support of Eddie for all these years. And I especially want to thank Rattler Nation for all of the good things you’ve said about him,” Jerrlyne said.
“Eddie would be so happy to know how many people enjoyed his show. We appreciate everyone out there who’s watching. Continue to watch because we are going to continue to move forward.”
What's next for FAMU's 220 Quarterback Club?
The 220 Quarterback Club will resume its weekly meetings, as FAMU’s 2024-2025 athletic year will be underway when the Rattlers football team opens its season against the Norfolk State Spartans at Aug. 24’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta.
Jerrlyne Jackson announced that the 220 Quarterback Club will establish a monthly award for the top member because they have been “great over the years” to the late Eddie Jackson and FAMU.
The 220 Quarterback Club is pushing the Rattler Boosters’ Aug. 10 Kickoff Luncheon and Golf Tournament to gift proceeds to FAMU Athletics.
“August 10 is a very important day for us. We have to continue to support our student-athletes,” Cobb said.
Though Eddie Jackson’s ardent efforts are no longer there to galvanize the 220 Quarterback Club and FAMU Athletics, the work continues to carry his legacy.
And that starts now.
“We just got to keep doing what we do. If we’re going to support our teams at the championship level, we have to do it better than last year,” Wilson said.
“Selvin, Mrs. Jackson, I, and several others have continued to try to carry on for our leader now.”
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU 220 QB Club to rename organization after President, founder Jackson
